Extended range of UKCA self-collection tests and sample kits
Many more doctors and practices are recognising the benefit in being able to offer self-collection kits to their patients. Blood, stool, urine, swabs, in various combinations, enable patients’ samples to be collected safely at home and to be sent to the laboratory for testing.
View articleChange of service for Histopathology
TDL is now providing its own histopathology services. This important change will allow the service to be brought into TDL’s own laboratory group and will ensure reporting times are managed differently.
View articleIntroducing the new Request form for Down’s Risk Screening (DRP)
All samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) are now referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The Request Form for this service has now been updated.
View articleScreening for Monkeypox by PCR (MPXV)
A definite diagnosis of monkeypox requires specialist testing in the laboratory. This is now being undertaken by TDL.
View articleNeisseria gonorrhoea cultures – update regarding national supply concerns
The laboratory has now received a limited supply of alternative media.
View article10 years of offering the Harmony NIPT test
TDL is pleased to recognise 10 years of offering the Harmony® Non-Invasive Prenatal Test.
Neisseria gonorrhoea cultures – national supply concerns
We have been informed by the supplier of our microbiology media of an immediate discontinuation of their product used for antibiotic sensitivity testing on N. Gonorrhoea isolates.
View articleUKCA marked self-collection sample kits
We have started introducing new UKCA test kits with all versions available to practices, or patients, with future kit orders.
View articleTransition to UKCA-marked sample collection kits
As part of the transition to the supply of UKCA pathology self-collection kits, all kits will now be supplied with both an Expiry date and Lot/Batch number.
View articleCOVID-19 Testing
The COVID laboratory continues to offer testing services for COVID-19 PCR (NCOV) and COVID-19 Antibodies (SCOV) with 24 hour turnaround times from the time of sample receipt.
View articleHepatitis C Antigen (HCAG)
The manufacture and availability of Hep C Core Antigen reagents has been restored.
View articleDown’s Risk Screening (DRP)
The antenatal screening service carried out by the Wolfson Institute is being discontinued in June 2022 and all samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) will be referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital from 23rd May 2022.
View articleMultiplex (HIV / Hep B / Hep C PCR Early) Detection Screening
TDL test code STDX is now being processed as an in-house assay. There is no change to methodology (NAAT) or sample requirement. TAT remains unchanged.
View articleEsoteric referred tests
Following a review of the contracts with referral laboratories, we have identified two laboratories that whilst being ‘GDPR Compliant’, do not follow the typical data model.
View articleAllergy testing: The ALEX2 test
The ALEX2 test allows for IgE multiplexing of c300 allergens (extracts and molecular allergens) from
a small volume serum sample.
Discontinued tests 2021–2022
A summary of some rarer tests that have had their availability discontinued in 2021/2022 for various reasons.
View articleT cells: T-SPOT COVID test
The T-SPOT®.COVID test, for qualitative detection of a cell mediated (T cell) immune response to SARS CoV-2 in whole blood, now includes detection of immune response after vaccine.
View articleMicrobiology: Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis
Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis has been replaced by more sensitive and specific targeted PCR testing.
View articleDown’s Risk Profile: Interpretation of Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13
TDL has been notified of a change in the reporting process for Down’s Risk Profile (DRP), effective 17th January 2022.
View articleCOVID-19 Travel Testing with TDL
The Regulations for Travel Testing are complex and continue to change. The DHSC updated the private sector provider minimum standards for travel testing on 4 October 2021.
View articleCOVID-19 spike antibody test: Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2-S
Introducing a new test for the quantitative determination of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein - Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S.
View articleHaemophilia and Thrombosis Genetics
Our Genetics teams are using high-throughput sequencing to combine the testing for rare bleeding, platelet and thrombosis disorders into a single workflow.
View articleRapid testing for leukaemia
Our Haem-Oncology team is introducing rapid genetic testing to help with the treatment management of leukaemia patients.
View articleTDL Tinies™ and Self-collection samples
An increased range of tests using remote testing/self-taken small volume blood samples (home collection) and postal pathology has been developed using TDL TINIES.
View articleLactose intolerance and genetic testing (LCT Gene)
TDL Genetics offers a genetic test to assist in the diagnosis of primary lactose intolerance in both children and adults.
View articleQuantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT)
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK but too often colorectal cancer is detected at
a late stage making it the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK