The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Clinical Network Laboratory in Birmingham provides microbiology services for Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Solihull Hospital, GP practices, NHS laboratories and public health services across the Midlands. The laboratory is also home to the National Mycobacterium Reference Service North and Central (NMRS-N&C).
All microbiology testing takes place at Heartlands Hospital in a fully automated pathology laboratory. The pathology department is located at the rear of the hospital, opposite the Yardley Green Road entrance.
What we provide
We offer:
- 24-hour support for investigating, managing and controlling infections and disease outbreaks
- specialist microbiology advice, including antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and infection control
- a wide range of diagnostic, specialist, confirmatory and reference tests
testing based on national standard methods and UKHSA algorithms - ISO 15189:2022 accredited laboratory services
Public Health Microbiology Services handbook
The UKHSA Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham provides a range of public health microbiology services to include:
- a full range of tests to investigate any event or outbreak of possible public health significance in the community
- advice on the best diagnostic strategies to be adopted, advice on interpretation of test results and additional investigations that may be helpful
- provision of sample kits and request forms to health protection teams (HPTs) and local authorities / environmental health departments
- support to incident management/outbreak investigation teams
- follow up/clearance testing of patients, or contacts of patients, in whom organisms of public health importance are detected
- support for NHS Trusts and HPTs in the specialist investigation of health care associated infection
- education and training support to HPTs and local authorities
These public health microbiology services are available to:
- Staff in HPTs
- Local Authority staff and Directors of Public Health
- Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and clusters
- Acute Trusts
Please note: UKHSA Microbiology does not provide microbiology services for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB). These services are provided by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and are based at QEHB.
Clinical bacteriology
The clinical bacteriology department tests a wide range of samples for bacterial and fungal infections. Results often take longer than routine blood tests because some organisms need time to grow before they can be identified and tested against antibiotics or antifungal medicines.
We investigate samples from many parts of the body, including:
- sputum to investigate chest infections
- nail clippings to check for fungal nail infections
- faecal samples to identify causes of gastroenteritis
- cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to investigate meningitis
- pus and tissue samples to identify deep-seated infections
We identify organisms using:
- biochemical testing
- mass spectrometry
- microscopy
We also test how organisms respond to antibiotics and antifungal medicines. This helps healthcare teams select the most effective treatment.
Different methodologies for susceptibility testing are used in the Microbiology lab depending on antibiotic tested, organism isolated and EUCAST guidelines. Antimicrobial results are characterised as
- S - Susceptible: standard dosing regimen: A microorganism is categorised as Susceptible, standard dosing regimen, when there is a high likelihood of therapeutic success using a standard dosing regimen of the agent.
- I - Susceptible, increased exposure: A microorganism is categorised as Susceptible, increased exposure* when there is a high likelihood of therapeutic success because exposure to the agent is increased by adjusting the dosing regimen or by its concentration at the site of infection.
- R - Resistant: A microorganism is categorised as Resistant when there is a high likelihood of therapeutic failure even when there is increased exposure.
Exposure is a function of how the mode of administration, dose, dosing interval, infusion time, as well as distribution and excretion of the antimicrobial agent will influence the infecting organism at the site of infection.
Antimicrobials reported against are reported with consideration given to EUCAST guidelines, organism and clinical guideline. Please refer to the Trust antimicrobial prescribing policy.
The laboratory supports infection prevention by screening for:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Clostridioides difficile
- Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE)
This allows infection prevention teams to identify cases quickly and reduce the risk of spread.
Serology
The serology laboratory detects antigens and antibodies to help diagnose infections and assess immunity. We test blood, dried blood spot, urine and cerebrospinal fluid samples.
Our services include testing for:
- HIV
- human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- syphilis
We can also distinguish between current and past infections, including:
- measles
- mumps
- Epstein-Barr virus
- cytomegalovirus
- parvovirus
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis E
Specialist services include testing for legionella, cryptococcus and galactomannan. We also provide dried blood spot screening for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis, as well as infectious diseases in pregnancy screening.
Molecular services
Our molecular services use advanced testing methods to identify infections quickly and accurately. We test a wide range of samples, including skin swabs, mouth swabs and samples from genital ulcers.
- Our services include
- respiratory virus testing for 11 viral pathogens
- influenza A subtyping
- testing for bacterial and fungal infections, including:
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- pertussis (whooping cough)
- viral load testing for:
- HIV
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- adenovirus
- polyomavirus
- human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)
- human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
For suspected central nervous system infections, we test cerebrospinal fluid samples using standard and specialist panels. We can also provide rapid BioFire testing for selected patients following microscopy.
We are one of a small number of laboratories in the UK that test for:
- Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
- avian influenza
Please discuss these requests with the duty virologist before sending samples.
Antiviral resistance testing service
The Antiviral Resistance Testing Service (ARTS) analyses drug resistance in:
- HIV
- hepatitis B
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
We use next-generation sequencing technology to provide detailed resistance reports that help guide treatment decisions.
National Mycobacterium Reference Service North and Central
The National Mycobacterium Reference Service North and Central (NMRS-N&C) is one of three regional mycobacterium reference laboratories in England and Wales. Based in Birmingham, it is the largest tuberculosis (TB) laboratory in the Midlands and receives samples from 39 laboratories across the East Midlands, West Midlands and northern England.
What we provide
NMRS-N&C offers:
- whole genome sequencing for identification of mycobacterium isolates
- prediction of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- analysis of strain relatedness
- primary tuberculosis diagnostic testing for NHS organisations
- non-tuberculous mycobacteria identification and susceptibility testing
- support for national tuberculosis action plans
Supporting patient care and public health
Tuberculosis remains an important infectious disease. Our testing supports:
- rapid diagnosis
- treatment decisions
- outbreak investigations
- local and national surveillance programmes
We test a wide range of samples, including:
- sputum
- urine
- tissue samples
- other respiratory specimens
We use modern laboratory techniques, including:
- liquid culture
- molecular testing
- whole genome sequencing
These methods allow us to identify mycobacteria quickly and determine antibiotic susceptibility. We also provide rapid molecular testing for tuberculosis directly from respiratory and cerebrospinal fluid samples, without the need to grow the organism first.
Epidemiological typing analyses are provided through the UKHSA Bioinformatics Unit.
NMRS user handbook
Enteric laboratory
The enteric laboratory investigates infections that affect the stomach and intestines. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites and often lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
Our service supports:
- patient diagnosis and treatment
- infection prevention and control
- public health surveillance
Our services include
- molecular testing for viral, bacterial and parasitic gastrointestinal infections
- culture and identification of bacteria such as:
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Campylobacter
- Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
- parasite testing from a range of sample types
- antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Sending samples
All request forms must include:
- relevant clinical information
- travel history where appropriate
- details of the investigation required
Each sample must be clearly labelled before submission.
Research and development
The Public Health Laboratory is committed to improving patient outcomes and protecting public health through research and innovation. Our research programme helps us develop new diagnostic tests, improve existing services and ensure our work is based on the latest evidence.
Staff contribute to local, regional and national research groups and committees. Research activities have included:
- antibiotic resistance
- infection prevention and control
- epidemiology of infectious diseases
- microbiology laboratory methods
- antiviral resistance
- tuberculosis
- HIV diagnosis and treatment
- blood-borne viruses
- molecular diagnostic testing
- infections in immunocompromised patients
By investing in research, we continue to improve the speed, accuracy and effectiveness of our diagnostic services.
Safety and security
The laboratory complies with the Security of Pathogens and Toxins (Exceptions to Dangerous Substances) Regulations and the Antiterrorism Bill 2002. Laboratories on this site are registered and operate in line with police security standards for access and security.
This helps ensure the safe handling, storage and testing of microbiological samples while protecting staff, patients and the wider community.
Contact us
For all laboratory enquiries
Microbiology
Clinical leads
- Dr Abid Hussain, Clinical Service Lead
- Dr Itisha Gupta, Deputy Clinical Service Lead
How to contact the microbiology service
For urgent enquiries from external organisations, or urgent internal enquiries, contact the duty microbiologist or duty virologist through the hospital switchboard.
For non-urgent internal enquiries, use the PICS referral form during normal working hours. Outside of these hours, contact the service through the switchboard.
Primary care referrals can be sent to infectionemail@uhb.nhs.uk. GPs can also contact the duty microbiologist through the switchboard.
Antimicrobial prescribing guidance
Antimicrobial prescribing guides are available on the UHB intranet. Primary care guidance is available through the prescribing pages.
Virology
Clinical leads
- Dr Michael Kidd, Clinical Lead for Virology
- Mr Jonathan Taylor, Clinical Virologist and Clinical Lead for the Antenatal and Newborn Blood Spot (ANNB) Screening Programme
How to contact the virology service
The duty virologist can be contacted via telephone.
Quality assurance and accreditation
United Kingdom Health Security Agency laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8213
For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website
Some tests do not currently appear on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation and are outside the scope of accreditation. These tests are validated to the same high standards as accredited tests and are carried out by the same trained and competent staff.
Announcement: Training and Development
The microbiology laboratory is committed to supporting the training, professional development and career progression of all staff. Individual learning needs and career goals are reviewed through the annual appraisal process.
Professional development
We support continuing professional development (CPD) for all staff groups. Consultant microbiologists, virologists and registered clinical scientists take part in the Royal College of Pathologists CPD programme. Biomedical scientists are encouraged to participate in the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) CPD scheme.
Specialist and medical training
The laboratory provides training in microbiology and virology for specialist registrars working towards Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists qualifications. We also offer placements for:
- specialist registrars in infectious diseases and public health medicine
- Foundation Year doctors from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- resident doctors taking part in taster programmes focused on infection management and career development
- clinical teaching fellows from UKHSA and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Biomedical scientist training
The laboratory is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for biomedical scientist training in bacteriology and virology. We also support the UKHSA Clinical Scientist Training Programme.
Staff are encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills through:
- academic qualifications
- management training
- specialist technical courses
- workshops and conferences
Placements and work experience
We welcome short-term placements and secondments in microbiology and virology for staff at all grades. These can be arranged through discussion with the Clinical Lead or Laboratory Manager.
The laboratory also offers:
- university placements for biomedical science students
- work experience opportunities for students throughout the year
Last reviewed: 15 October 2026