Specimen Reception is the main entry point for diagnostic samples received by Blood Sciences laboratories across University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The team supports the pre-analytical stage of testing by making sure samples are received, checked, recorded and prepared safely and accurately before analysis.
Each day, the department processes thousands of samples from:
- hospital wards
- outpatient departments
- GP practices
- community services
- external healthcare providers
Samples arrive through a range of transport routes, including Trust porters, healthcare professionals, the pneumatic tube system and courier services.
What we do
Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) check patient details and specimen information against the accompanying request. Requests are then registered on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and a unique laboratory barcode is assigned to provide full traceability throughout the testing process.
Once registered, specimens are prepared for testing. This may include:
- centrifugation
- sorting
- aliquoting
- distribution to specialist laboratory sections
Specimen Reception supports services across:
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Haematology
- Blood Transfusion
- Immunology
- other specialist laboratories
Urgent samples
A dedicated urgent desk manages priority samples from services including:
- the Emergency Department
- critical care areas
- other urgent clinical services
This helps ensure samples needed for immediate clinical decision-making are prioritised and processed within agreed turnaround times.
Supporting patient care
The department also provides support for:
- specimen-related enquiries
- investigation of sample discrepancies
- communication with clinical teams about specimen issues
- coordination of sample transport between hospital sites and external organisations
The team works closely with healthcare professionals and laboratory departments to support patient safety, quality standards and compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
By ensuring specimens are managed safely and efficiently, Specimen Reception plays an important role in delivering accurate laboratory results that support diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.
Opening times
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
- Specimen Reception operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Solihull Hospital
- Specimen Reception is open Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00.
Results and general enquiries
If you are not the original requester, we cannot provide copies of laboratory reports. Please contact the Subject Access Team:
Laboratory staff cannot discuss individual test results with patients. If you have questions about your results, please contact your GP or consultant.
Specimen enquiries
For information about specimen requirements, including:
- sample tube types
- transport requirements
- turnaround times
Visit the Pathology Test Database
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 Biochemistry (UKAS Reference 8910).
Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently 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