The Cellular Pathology Department offers a comprehensive diagnostic service across all hospital sites. Led by Clinical Service Lead and a team of consultant pathologists, the department plays a key role in University Hospitals Birmingham’s function as a major Cancer Centre. It collaborates closely with the Oncology Service and the Pan-Birmingham Cancer Network to enhance cancer diagnostics.
Our consultant pathologists and specialist teams provide expertise in:
- breast pathology
- chest pathology
- ear, nose and throat (ENT) pathology
- gastrointestinal pathology
- gynaecological pathology
- haemato pathology
- renal pathology
- skin pathology
- urological pathology
We also provide:
- histology
- cytology
- electron microscopy
- muscle biopsy services
- immunohistochemistry
- Mohs surgery support
- andrology services
Mortuary facilities are available across our hospital sites. Post-mortem examinations can be carried out at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Heartlands Hospital. Family viewing rooms and body storage facilities are available across the Trust.
Service update
The Department is currently supporting the Trust with significant increases in clinical activity. For some specialties reporting times have fallen below targets and so the Department is working with service users to minimise the impact of this. The Department is prioritising clinically urgent requests and patients on cancer pathways and some cases are outsourced for reporting.
The Department regularly reviews testing to reflect clinical service needs and advances in technology. Consequently, some testing and equipment has not yet been reviewed at UKAS assessment visit. Contact the Laboratory for further information on non-accredited tests.
Specialist services
Andrology
Provides diagnostic semen analysis, post-vasectomy semen analysis and retrograde semen analysis.
Cytology
Provides specialist diagnostic cytology services, specimen guidance and referral information for UHB and external organisations.
Electron Microscopy
Examines the structure of cells and tissues at very high magnification to support diagnosis.
Histology
Provides diagnostic histopathology services for the Trust.
Immunohistochemistry
A specialist laboratory service within Cellular Pathology that uses antigen-antibody reactions to detect specific proteins within tissue sections.
Mohs Micrograph surgery
A specialised technique used to treat some types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and melanoma.
Mortuary
Body storage facilities are available at all sites. Post-mortem examinations can be carried out at QEHB and BHH.
Muscle Biopsy Service
Muscle biopsies can help diagnose suspected neuromuscular conditions when less invasive tests have not provided a clear diagnosis.
Tissue Services
Provides regulated tissue services, including procurement, storage, testing and distribution of human tissues and cells.
Opening times
Cellular Pathology
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
- Monday to Friday, 08:00 -17:00
- Sunday, 07:00-15:00
Heartlands Hospital
- Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00
- Saturday, 09:00-12:45
Mortuary Services
Good Hope Hospital, Heartlands Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
- Monday to Friday, 08:00-16:00
Solihull Hospital
- By appointment only
Quality assurance and accreditation
The Cellular Pathology laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The laboratories are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the ISO 15189:2022 standard.
Accreditation information is available under Cellular Pathology (UKAS Reference 10141).
Tests that do not appear on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation are not UKAS accredited. These tests are validated in line with laboratory procedures and are carried out by trained and competent staff.
For a list of accredited tests and further information, visit the UKAS website:
For further information about quality assurance and accreditation please contact our Quality Manager.
- Louise Fallon, Quality Manager
- louise.fallon@uhb.nhs.uk
Human Tissue Authority approval
The Cellular Pathology laboratory is approved and registered by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). Post Mortem Sector Licence number: 12366. Human Application License Number: 11100
Data protection
Cellular Pathology services comply with the Trust's Data Protection Policy. Procedures are in place to ensure the service and its staff meet data protection requirements and follow recognised best practice.
Announcement: Training and Development
For information on careers, training and education in Pathology, please see our Training and Development webpage.