Genetics

Thursday 10 July 2025

Description

Wessex Genomics Laboratory Service (Salisbury)

Head of Service

Director: Prof. NCP Cross MA PhD FRCPath

Best place to Park

Car park 8 at the rear of the hospital

Direct Telephone No

Laboratory: 023 81 207100

Extension No

023 81 207100

The Regional Genetics Laboratory is based at Salisbury District Hospital but managed by University Hospitals Southampton (UHS) from 1st October 2022. Together with Molecular Pathology at UHS, we form the Wessex Genomics Laboratory Service, a constituent of the Central and South Genomics Laboratory Hub.

We provide an accredited genetics and genomics service for a core population of 3 million in the South Central (formerly Wessex) region of England, as well as specialist testing for other centres as part of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS). We accept samples referred by health care professionals from the UK or abroad, and offer high-quality testing, interpretation and reporting for a wide range of genetic conditions. The laboratory is ISO15189-accredited and is directed by Professor Nick Cross MA PhD FRCPath.

We work in conjunction with the Wessex Clinical Genetics Service (WCGS) based at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton and undertake basic and applied research as part of the University of Southampton.

Information for Patients

Research

Our Services

Referral Forms

Clinical Genetics

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Quality management, accreditation and external quality assessment

We are a ISO15189 accredited medical laboratory service committed to providing users with a service of the highest quality to meet clinical need.

The majority of the tests offered by the laboratory are accredited to ISO15189:2012, (UKAS account No 9005).

Tests currently provided outside the UKAS schedule of accreditation:

SNP array (pending Extension to Scope)
Whole Genome Sequencing (pending Extension to Scope)
FLT3-TKD hot spot by fragment analysis (pending Extension to Scope)
Pan-Haematological NGS panel (pending Extension to Scope)
NGS assays on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material (pending Extension to Scope)
Monitoring of FIP1L1::PDGFRA fusion and other rarer gene fusions associated with eosinophilic MPNs by nested RT-PCR or multiplex genomic DNA analysis (pending Extension to Scope)

We operate a comprehensive quality management system and aim to produce:

Accurate results
Using appropriate testing strategies
In an appropriate timeframe
With appropriate comment and interpretation to assist clinicians in providing the best management of their patients.

Our tests are all fully validated and/or verified internally (as appropriate) to include sensitivity, specificity, measurement uncertainty (where applicable), internal quality control and test limitations/interferences. Test limitations and sensitivity are stated on our reports, where appropriate. Information relating to any of the above validation parameters is available on request.

As part of our ongoing commitment to quality standards, we participate in all relevant external quality assessment schemes provided by the following EQA bodies: GenQA (formerly UK NEQAS for Molecular Genetics and CEQAS); Leucocyte Immunophenotyping; Blood Coagulation; Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics; European Molecular genetics Quality Network (EMQN) and European Research Initiative CLL (ERIC), for all of which we typically achieve excellent results. Please contact us for further details if required.

We aim to follow all national best practice guidelines and endeavour to meet NHSE recommended turnaround times. Please consult the National Turn Around Targets to find the reporting times you can expect for your referrals.

We welcome user feedback and appraisal of our service by emailing shc-tr.WRGLdutyscientist@nhs.net.

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Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.