The Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Service (MPDS) provides specialist molecular testing for patients across University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), as well as regional, national and international healthcare organisations.
We process more than 25,000 samples each year and provide testing for a wide range of cancers. Our service supports both solid tumour testing and circulating tumour DNA analysis.
We use a range of advanced molecular techniques, including:
- immunohistochemistry
- fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing
- Sanger sequencing
- real-time PCR
- pyrosequencing
- next generation sequencing (NGS)
These techniques help identify:
- protein expression
- gene mutations
- gene methylation
- gene amplification
- chromosome translocations
The service is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) laboratory No. 8759.
MPDS is part of Clinical Laboratory Services (CLS) and operates within the CLS quality management system. The service is led by a consultant clinical service lead, deputy clinical service lead, head biomedical scientist and principal clinical scientists.
We participate in external quality assurance schemes, including UK NEQAS and GenQA, where appropriate.
Additional information
Reporting
Reports are issued through our laboratory information management system (LIMS).
For UHB patients, reports are automatically uploaded to Clinical Portal.
For external organisations, reports are issued to the referring laboratory's distribution list. Where an nhs.net email account is not available, we can send reports to an nhs.uk email address using password-protected encryption.
We retain reports indefinitely within LIMS.
Our team is available Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00, to:
- discuss reports
- answer queries
- provide specialist advice
We do not send reports by fax.
Return of material
The Royal College of Pathologists and the Institute of Biomedical Science recommend storing residual DNA for at least four weeks after testing.
Our current storage capacity allows us to retain residual DNA for a minimum of three years.
We usually retain referred materials, including tissue blocks and unused slides, for two weeks after testing is complete before returning them to the referring laboratory.
All returned material is sent using tracked delivery, and receipt confirmation is requested.
If you need material returned before testing is complete, please tell us when submitting the specimen.
Opening times
- Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 17:00
Quality assurance and accreditation
The 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 Molecular (UKAS Reference 8759)
Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation remain outside of our scope of accreditation.
However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same 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
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.
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026