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About our Pathology service, work experience opportunities we offer and details of how to tour our laboratories.

About us

Our Pathology department provides a single integrated service across Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. We offer an extensive range of diagnostic and specialist tests, services and clinical support.

Pathology impacts on nearly all aspects of patient care, from diagnosing cancer to managing chronic diseases through accurate laboratory testing. Our Pathology laboratories are equipped to a high standard and provide a comprehensive range of clinical services.

Our Laboratories

  • Haematology / Immunology / Blood Transfusion.
  • Clinical Biochemistry (Chemical Pathology)
  • Microbiology / Cryopreservation
  • Cellular Pathology / Molecular Pathology

Our laboratories are regularly inspected and accredited by the relevant national bodies. All of our laboratories are Institute of Biomedical Science-approved training laboratories.

Other Services which we provide

  • Pathology Pre-analytical Area (PAN)
  • Phlebotomy Services
  • Clinical Advice Services
  • Mortuary Services

Pathology Support Services

  • Pathology Stores
  • Pathology Transport Services
  • Pathology General Office
  • Pathology Reception Team

Work Experience

The Pathology laboratories are usaually able to offer a limited number of work experience placements each year.

All applications for work experience placements must be made via the Pathology Network Education Trainer - Beth Grady (beth.grady@NHS.net). Please do not contact the laboratories directly.

Further information on work experience placements at our Trust.

Laboratory tours

Laboratory tours are arranged twelve times a year on a monthly basis. Tours always take place on the first Tuesday of the month and alternate between the Cheltenham General Hospital laboratories and the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital laboratories.

Places are limited to 6 per tour, with a reserve list of 3.

Priority will be given to our service users and to students.

Cheltenham Laboratory tour

Starts at 2.00 pm and lasts approximately two hours.

The tour covers the Pre-Analytical area, Histology, Molecular Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Haematology & Blood Transfusion.

Gloucestershire Laboratory tour

Starts at 9:30 am and lasts approximately one and a half hours.

The tour covers the Pre-Analytical area, Chemical Pathology, Microbiology, Haematology Blood Transfusion & Immunology.

To book a tour

Send an email to the pathology general office specifying preferred tour and month. Please include a contact name and telephone number.

A member of staff will contact you with future tour dates and, once booked, confirmation will be sent via email.

An email asking you to confirm your booking will be sent approximately one week prior to the booked tour. Please reply by the Monday prior to the tour, as places are limited and there is usually a waiting list. Should you be unable to attend someone else may be able to take your place.