Immunology

The Immunology Laboratory: this area of the laboratory deals with autoimmunity and allergy testing

The immunology service at St Helier Hospital provides a comprehensive diagnostic service for the trust, a number of local and distant hospitals, for local GP's and other healthcare providers.

The department offers a wide range of immunology tests and is continually developing new assays to add to the extensive portfolio.

Research

The main research interests of the department include NK cells and infertility, allergy, immunodeficiency and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

The staff

Together with three consultant immunologists, there is a team of experienced and professional scientists that ensure delivery of a high quality and timely clinical diagnostic service.

Training

The department is accredited for both biomedical scientist training and for grade A clinical scientist training. It has full JCHMT approval for SpR training to MRCPath level.

Read more about postgraduate and undergraduate education at the Trust

Far left is Dr Nazira Sumar Head of Research and Mr Brian Ford (Immunology Service Manager) is at the rear. Shown standing in front of a BNII Nephelometer used by the immunochemistry section

Specialist services

The department is the designated immunodeficiency centre for south London and is one of 13 national Chronic Fatigue centres offering both a clinical service and training for personnel involved in the care of those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The allergy service provides assessment for a complete range of allergies including drug and food allergy, anaphylaxis and the more common atopic conditions. Desensitisation therapy to a range of allergens is also provided.

Services provided to other sites

The three consultant immunologists within the trust provide cover for the laboratory services at Kingston Hospital, St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

The allergy services at the St George’s Hospital, Tooting and the immunology clinic at Kingston Hospital are also coordinated by the consultants within the trust.

Request forms

Please use our special immunology request cards where you will find our investigation repertoire and a guide to the type of specimen required. If you cannot find the investigation you require please contact the laboratory.

Please ensure that all request forms are completed clearly and fully including the patient’s date of birth, hospital number (where appropriate) and relevant clinical details, as the interpretation of certain tests is dependent upon the patient’s age and the clinical information provided.

It is important that requesting clinician details and location are clearly stated as failing this can delay the return of results.

Specimen transport

For health and safety reasons samples for analysis must be transported in sealed plastic bags. For outlying hospitals and GPs without transport arrangements, samples should be sent by parcel post following Post Office regulations (available on request from the laboratory). To protect patients and laboratory staff samples which are incorrectly labelled or packaged will not be processed and the requestor notified.

Urgent tests

Please telephone the laboratory to arrange. Urgent specimens should be sent by taxi and the laboratory informed of their dispatch. Please ensure that the requests are clearly marked “Urgent” and include a contact bleep or telephone number.

Clinical advice and interpretation

The clinical staff are happy to discuss individual cases, to provide advice on immunological testing, or to review patients in clinics.

Quality assurance

The laboratory participates in all relevant quality assurance schemes and aims to maintain high standards in all aspects of its work. If you feel that the service could be improved in any way please let us know.

Any complaints should be directed to the consultant or immunology service manager - please make any reservations you may have about the quality of any aspect of the service known to us as soon as possible: we take your complaints very seriously.

In particular, let us know of any untoward delay in receipt of reports, discrepancies between results and clinical picture, and any errors in patient or clinician name on the report. We will aim to answer your concerns within ten working days.

Allergy clinics The immunology department provides a service for the diagnosis and management of many allergic conditions.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome The chronic fatigue service at St Helier and Sutton hospitals is the local multidisciplinary team (LMDT) and clinical network co-ordinating centre for people with chronic fatigue syndrome in southwest London and Surrey.
Immunodeficiency Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust provides the regional service for the investigation and management of primary and secondary immunodeficiency in adults. We offer both hospital-based and home treatment immunoglobulin replacement therapy, either via the intravenous or subcutaneous routes.
Guidance on interpreting test results Guidance for healthcare professionals to assist them in interpreting specific test results
Investigation of newly detected M-proteins and management of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance In 2009, the UK myeloma forum (UKMF) and the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG) produced guidelines for the investigation of newly detected M-proteins and the management of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). M-proteins are frequently detected in patients who are under the care of a general practitioner or a non-haematologist.