Biochemistry tests that are not performed within the department are sent to a referral laboratory for analysis.
Information on the availability and specimen requirements for tests that are sent away for analysis can be obtained by contacting the department.
Turnaround times and dispatch of specimens
The turnaround times for specimens that are sent to a referral laboratory are greater than for those tests that are analysed within the department. Specimens for most tests are sent away for analysis once a week, on the following days.
- Specimens that can be transported at ambient temperature by first class post are dispatched on a Tuesday.
- Specimens that need to be transported frozen are sent once a week on a Wednesday.
The exceptions to this are specimens that are for a small number of labile analytes that need to be transported at ambient temperature by either courier or special delivery. These are dispatched on a Monday to Thursday.
