There is a microbiology service provided across the Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Please see the user handbooks provided for more information on these services.
Alternatively refer to our Test A-Z.
The microbiology department provides a comprehensive service encompassing the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of bacterial, fungal and parasitological disease. With over 100 staff, including consultants, junior medical staff, biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, laboratory assistants and administrative staff, it provides a high quality and comprehensive diagnosis, monitoring and disease management service to our clinical colleagues and their patients.
Biomedical scientists in the department undertake a wide range of tests including pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility. Please see the User Manual for details of the full repertoire of tests offered and sample requirements.
The medical microbiology team of consultants and specialist registrars are available 24 hours a day to provide clinical advice around patient management and result interpretation. The microbiology department collaborates closely with the infection prevention and control team, in the surveillance, control and prevention of infection in both secondary care and the local community. Teaching, training, audit, research and development are all actively pursued within the department.
We have also compiled a FAQ page that set outs some answers to the most frequent questions that come through to the infection team. See the accordian at the bottom of this page by following this link.
Here you will find FAQs on:
– URINE
– STOOL / FAECES / ENTERIC
– SPUTUM / RESPIRATORY
– SKIN / WOUNDS / SWABS
– EARS / NOSE / THROAT
– GUM / VAGINAL
– HAIR / NAIL
WHO TO CONTACT
Please see the Microbiology User Guide on the ESEL Pathology Partnership website https://www.eselpathology.nhs.uk/microbiology
Operations leads e.g. for queries re pending results & requesting additional tests
Phone 020 324 60308 or 60307
Email microbiology.bartshealth@nhs.net
The microbiology.bartshealth@nhs.net includes scientific and operation leads: Susan Benson, David Ball, Natalie Marshall and Nathan North
Other useful numbers – microbiology
Duty senior mobile: 07709 523 438 (in-hours and out of hours)
RLH switchboard 0207 377 7000
Microbiology clinical teams by borough (in-hours)
Tower Hamlets & City of London 07710 920866
Newham 07887 856 174
Waltham Forest 07756 882 796
City & Hackney HUH duty microbiologist: 07623 986 285, 0208 510 7181 or 4736
Lewisham & Greenwich QEH site clinical queries: 0208 836 6000 Ext 65697
UHL site clinical queries: 0208 836 6000 Ext 33256
Virology
Email results.virology@nhs.net (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m-5 p.m)
Phone 0203 246 0364 (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m-5 p.m)
For out of hours queries, go through the hospital switchboard