All specimens must be clearly identified with patient and specimen details and accompanied by a fully completed CliniSys ICE Cellular Pathology request form for hospital based requests and some GP requests. For those requesters without Anglia ICE, a Histology/Non-cervical Cytology request form is available for use.

VERBAL REQUESTS FOR EXAMINATION OF HISTOLOGICAL AND CYTOLOGICAL SPECIMENS ARE NOT CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE.

Example of current forms in use are at the bottom of this page.

The minimum information acceptable to the department is:- 

Surname, Forename and Date of birth. NHS number is also acceptable as an identifier.

Failure to supply to this information on both the request card and specimen will result in the specimen being rejected by the department until adequate identification is confirmed. For hospital based patients this will require a member of the clinical team staff attending the laboratory to identify and label an unlabeled or inappropriately labelled specimen. For GP cases, the GP will be contacted and the specimen could be returned. Further details on specimen acceptance for other disciplines, can be found by clicking here.

Sender location and sender name (Consultant or GP) and relevant clinical details must also be supplied. Failure to do this will inevitably lead to delays in reporting.

All specimens, unless specified (please see specific Histology test information), must be sent in a tightly sealed specimen container which contains, where practicable, at least ten times the specimen volume of 10% neutral buffered formalin. 10% Formalin data sheet can be found at the bottom of the page. Please ensure that the lid has been secured properly before sending.

Specimens that have inadequate volumes of fixative (formalin) deteriorate quickly and are more prone to autolysis and putrefaction which can affect diagnosis. The time interval from the removal of the specimen to being placed in fixative is also important. The faster you can get the tissue and fix it, the better. Artefact will be introduced by drying. The longer you wait, the more cellular organelles will be lost and the more nuclear shrinkage and artefactual clumping will occur.

Specimens that have been placed in formalin should be stored at room temperature prior to transport. Refrigeration can detrimentally affect the speed of preservation. Also, exposure to excessive heat is also known to effect diagnosis.

For information about specimen transportation or spillages, please look at the department's specimen transportation page and the spillage page.

Relevant clinical information is vital for diagnosis and MUST be included on the relevant section of the request form. Failure to provide CORRECT clinical information can result in a delay.

Specimens should not be incised, as fixation may lead to distortion and difficulties in interpretation.

Small Formalin filled Specimen containers are available from Pathology Supplies (ext 8468) or from the Cellular Pathology laboratory (extn 8180)

Neutral Buffered formalin fixative is only available by direct supplier delivery to PCH theatres via stores.