If you have been given an outpatient appointment at the hospitals and are unable to attend for whatever reason you can use the form below.
It is really important that you let us know of any changes as soon as possible. This means we can offer the original appointment to another patient.
Please complete the form below with your contact details and as much information as possible. You can find most of the information we need on your appointment letter.
If you have any problems using this form, please call the number on your appointment letter and we will do our best to help you. You will receive a response from us so you know it has been received and actioned.
If you wish to change the date and time of your appointment you, you can click the re-book option and state any dates that are not suitable for you, or you can contact us using the number on your appointment letter.
The biochemistry department is located on the first floor of Appleton wing on the Warrington site and operates a satellite laboratory on the Halton site.
Tel: 01925 662538 Fax: 01925 662043 e-mail: neil.gaskell@nhs.net
Tel: 01925 662415
Biochemistry involves in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease by measuring the concentration of chemicals in blood, urine, faeces and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Blood is the main fluid of analysis which contains many inorganic ions, proteins, hormones, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and dissolved gases, O2 and CO2.
These substances are maintained within defined limits in health but the disease process upsets the normal balance of these chemicals and they then become markers of the disease state. We can use these markers to monitor disease and recovery.
Chemical testing of biological fluids has proven useful in diagnosing disease of the kidney, liver, heart, lungs and endocrine system. Some cancer cells also release chemical substances into the blood which can be used as diagnostic markers, and once elevation is detected, monitored in relation to treatment.
In addition to its diagnostic role, biochemistry supports the treatment of patients receiving intravenous fluid and also in monitoring the concentration of therapeutic drugs to ensure maximum therapeutic effect and minimum toxicity.
Most chemical testing is performed on large sophisticated analysers, which can process 200 samples an hour, with an average of 10 different tests performed on each sample (2000 tests / hr).
Some analysis is still carried out in test tubes utilising colorimeters and spectrophotometers to measure the intensity of a colour produced by a reaction between the patient’s sample and a specific colour reagent.
Recent advancements in Biochemical Instrumentation have facilitated the introduction of Point of Care testing. Certain tests can now be performed on miniaturised equipment at the patient’s bedside which may allow immediate diagnosis and treatment. The Department of Biochemistry is committed to monitoring the performance of this and all of its systems with regular and stringent quality control processes and participates in a number of National, commercially available External Quality Assessment Schemes.
The department is fully accredited by CPA [Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Limited].
Patient advice and information
Outpatient referrals are all seen by the consultant Chemical Pathologist.
If you have been to your GP and have a unique booking reference number you can log in to the Choose and Book system to view your choices. However, GPs can still refer patients directly to the Chemical Pathologist via a letter, telephone call or a fax.
Glucose Tolerance Tests can be booked with the Departmental secretary on the telephone number indicated below.
Tel: 01925 662538 Fax: 01925 662043 e-mail: Neil.Gaskell@whh.nhs.uk
