The department offer a comprehensive, quality service for Surgical and Post Mortem Histology, Diagnostic Cytology and Mortuary for Peterborough Hospital. Gynaecological Cytology is received into the department, packaged and sent to Norfolk and Norwich NHS Foundation Trust.
 
The Cytology department is available for Sputum, Serous Effusions, Urine, Fine needle aspirates, Bronchial Washings and Brushings. The Cytology department attends Rapid Onsite Evaluations at both City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke and assess the quality of the material sampled for diagnostic interpretation and for subsequent reporting. The services performed by the department at these evaluations are not part of the department's accreditation. 
 
A fully computerised information system ensures the speedy production of reports and the accurate storage and retrieval of records. The department has completed a digital pathology validation exercise using guidelines provided by the Royal College of Pathologists.
 
Digital histopathology in NWAFT is now accredited by UKAS, and is part of the department's digital strategy.  For further information, please refer to the strategy below.
 
Interpretative reports and clinical advice are the responsibility of the Pathologists, Clinical Scientists and competent Biomedical Scientists. Such staff are always available to discuss results with clinical colleagues. Advice on individual clinical cases or in terms of obtaining professional judgement on specific results can be obtained by contacting the laboratory results enquiry line (01733 678468). 
 
Uncertainty of Measurement provides a quantative assessment of the quality of a test result. Current international standards (ISO15189) requires laboratories to provide estimates of uncertainty of measurement. Causes of measurement uncertainty can occur at any stage of the process, ie. pre-analytical, analytical and post- analytical. Having a good understanding of the analytical aspects of tests, the biology of what we detect and the clinical significance of results are imperative in ensuring that the results give the correct interpretation. For further information on Cellular Pathology and uncertainty of measurement, please refer to the Uncertainty of Measurement procedure below.
The department's list of antibodies and histochemical stains, both accredited and unaccredited, can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
 
Clinical staff are also available to assist users to obtain the most effective utilisation of the laboratory service. Laboratory staff are also able to offer advice to assist with the correction of specific problems that may be experienced by users, such as instances of sample rejection due to a failure to meet laboratory acceptance criteria.
 
Patient consent of personable identifiable data is given at point of sample collection. When referral is needed, the patients’ informed consent applies to the disclosure of relevant information to appropriate healthcare professionals.
 
The Histology and Cytology services are carried out on the 4th floor in the Peterborough City Hospital. The laboratory is open from 8:30am to 5:00pm from Monday to Friday.  Emergency cover outside these hours may be available but specific requests must be discussed with a consultant pathologist.
 
The mortuary is open from 8:00am to 4:30 pm. An emergency service is available outside these hours. Please contact duty mortuary staff via switchboard.
  
The Mortuary services are located in the Bereavement Care Centre on the ground floor