LTHT Pathology Services are now accredited under a single UKAS reference number (9862). This includes testing performed within the following departments:
- Microbiology
- Laboratory Genetics
- Specialist Laboratory Medicine
- Cellular Pathology
- Blood Sciences
Our single accreditation schedule which lists accredited tests can be found on the UKAS website.
Please note that the C.difficile ribotyping service is accredited under UKAS number 10883 (falls under a separate legal entity): 10883 Medical Single (ukas.com)
Update on our Scope of Accreditation
As part of our ongoing commitment to quality, safety, and compliance, the Pathology Laboratory services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (specifically relating to Blood Sciences, Specialist Laboratory Medicine, and Microbiology) are nearing completion of a planned relocation to the new Centre for Laboratory Medicine (CfLM) facility, along with the implementation of a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and the verification and validation of new equipment procured under the provisions of a new regional managed service contract.
The decision taken and agreed with UKAS was to voluntarily and temporarily withdraw our UKAS ISO15189:2022 accreditation scope for the specialities being relocated, during the transition period.
This was a proactive and precautionary measure to maximise the resource available to support safe and efficient transfer of operations during the critical transition period, ensuring the time required to fully optimise and embed laboratory processes without rushing. Maintaining our standard assessment schedule during this period would not provide that flexibility.
These measures will remain in place only until the relocation is complete and a successful UKAS assessment has been undertaken within the new facility.
Due to unforeseen delays to finalising relocations, we anticipate reinstatement inspections to take place for each affected service over the spring and summer period, with official reinstatement of accredited status to follow once any resulting findings raised by UKAS have been cleared. Changes to the accreditation schedule (i.e. reinstatement of accreditation for the laboratory services concerned), will be clearly communicated via updates on this webpage.
The following continue to apply during the voluntary suspension period:
- All testing will continue under our ISO 15189 2022-accredited single Quality Management System, with full adherence to validated procedures and standard operating practices falling under this remit.
- There will be no compromise in staff competence, equipment calibration, or result quality, which will continue to be internally audited.
- Internal auditing and other key quality assurance measures, such as standard External Quality Assessment and Internal Quality Control measures will continue without interruption to maintain patient safety and data integrity.
Accreditation of our Cellular Pathology, Laboratory Genetics and UKHSA services’ will remain unaffected (the above only applies to services that have or are in the process of relocating to new premises). These services will continue with their scheduled assessment cycles, inclusive of both quality management and technical activities.
We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we look to conclude this significant period of change, which will bring about significant enhancements to service delivery, within a modern, purpose-built facility.
Should you require any further details, please contact: [email protected] and use the subject header ‘UKAS accreditation enquiry’.