HSL Immunology

HSL’s Immunology department provides a comprehensive testing service to users in the public and private sector. It receives requests from primary and secondary care, as well as specialist test requests from across the UK and overseas.

HSL Immunology is a UKAS Accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8169. The department participates in the External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQA) such as the UK National External Quality Assurance Schemes (UK NEQAS) for all analytes where schemes are available.

A full repertoire of allergy and allergen components testing is available in house – more than 200 common allergens can be tested.

The latest available ELISA platforms, immunofluorescent digital microscopy, ISAC and blot techniques are used to investigate immunological and allergic conditions.

Working hours

The department is open between 8am and 7pm on weekdays for receipt of specimens and telephone inquiries.

We also offer a limited service between 9am to 5:30pm on Saturdays.

Specimens

See the main Tests section for general information on ordering tests, and on specimen collection, packaging and transport.

All TB Quantiferon samples must reach the laboratory within 16 hours of collection.

Request procedures

See the main Tests section.

Urgent requests

There is a provision for urgent investigations received within normal working hours. Urgent Myeloperoxidase (MPO) IgG, Proteinase 3 (PR3) IgG, Glomerular Basement Membrane (GBM) IgG and Acetyl Choline Receptor (ACRA) antibody requests must be discussed with an appropriate member of staff before sending the sample to the laboratory.