Title page
Contents
1. Role of the PHE Specialist Microbiology Network within the National Infection Service 4
2. Role of the Public Health Laboratory 6
3. Key contacts 7
3.1. Medical advice 7
3.2. General enquiries 7
3.3. Key laboratory personnel and contact details 8
4. Laboratory location, working hours and access details 10
5. NHS laboratories and access to public health testing in the North West 11
6. Definition of a Public Health Microbiology Specimen 12
7. Collection of specimens 13
7.1. Faeces 13
7.2. Throat/Pharyngeal swabs 15
7.3. Viral respiratory specimens 15
7.4. Sputum 15
7.5. Urine 15
7.6. Serum 15
8. Methods of specimen submission 16
8.1. Direct submission to the laboratory 16
8.2. Submission to the laboratory via GP surgeries 16
8.3. Submission to the laboratory via post 16
8.4. Details of how more postal packs can be obtained 16
8.5. Submission to the laboratory using an agreed PHE courier 16
9. Investigation of local outbreaks 18
10. Other communicable diseases 19
11. Test turnaround times 20
12. Reporting results 21
Appendix 1. Sample submission 22
1.1. Health and safety 22
1.2. Packaging of specimens 22
1.3. Packaging of 'high risk' specimens 22
1.4. Transport of specimens 23
1.5. High risk incidents and safety 23
Appendix 2. Outbreak request form 24
Appendix 3. Postal packaging instructions for faecal samples 25
Appendix 4. Postal packaging instructions for Flu Kit samples 26
Additional specimen types that may be submitted to laboratory 28