The Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology Department is part of the Eastern Pathology Alliance (EPA), a managed Pathology network involving laboratories at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), the James Paget University Hospital (JPUH), and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). The service provides a wide range of routine and specialist diagnostic and therapy monitoring services. All Clinical Biochemistry work from GPs and non-urgent and specialist work from JPUH and QEH is processed at NNUH. The Department is divided into the following sections:
These pages cover the Automation Biochemistry sections at NNUH, JPUH, and QEH. Please see separate department pages for Analytical and Specialist Chemistry and Immunology.
The laboratories at NNUH and QEH are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 15189:2022. The defined schedule of tests for which the laboratory is accredited can be found by clicking on the following links; for NNUH schedule no. 10295 or for QEH schedule no. 20494.
In order to maintain high standards of analysis this Department participates in national external quality assessment (EQA) schemes and maintains its own internal system of quality control checks (IQC), routine validation and calibrations on all assays. Full details of EQA scheme participation are available on request.
This website provides information about how users can access our services, who to contact for advice, which tests we perform, sample requirements, reference intervals, and turnaround times. The information within this manual is accurate at time of issue and is reviewed and updated regularly.
For patients using these pages, please note that any information provided should not be used for self-diagnosis and should you have any concerns about your health please consult your GP.
If you find any errors within this information or would like to make any comments and/or suggestions for improvement, please contact Fiona Butcher, EPA Quality Manager on 01603 286900 or email [email protected]
Patient Consent
NOTE: All procedures and investigations carried out on a patient need the informed consent of the patient.
For most routine laboratory procedures, consent can be inferred when the patient presents themselves at a phlebotomy clinic, laboratory, or other suitable area, within a primary or secondary care setting, with a request form and willingly submits to the usual collecting procedure.
The laboratory infers informed consent has been obtained when samples are received. It is the responsibility of the clinician requesting the test to ensure that informed consent has been obtained.
For guidance on blood sample centrifugation and storage prior to transport to specimen reception at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, click here.
Samples are a potential source of infection and should be treated accordingly. Samples must be placed into the appropriate container and be securely fastened; leaking samples with gross contamination of contents and containers are discarded. Samples should be placed into a marsupial bag (a clear, re-sealable plastic bag with a pocket), and be accompanied by a request form placed in the side pouch.
The transport of samples from GP surgeries or other primary care locations is carried out by the Logistics service staff who will collect all samples from dedicated collection points.
Samples from within the hospital can be transported to Pathology either by the Pneumatic Tube System (PTS), if suitable, or by a porter. For urgent samples ward staff are required to arrange delivery to the laboratory. Samples must first be placed in the plastic sample bags together with the completed request form.
The safe transport of specimens to the laboratory is the responsibility of the requesting doctor or carrier. Laboratory responsibility for the sample begins when it has arrived at the laboratory.
Some specialised or low volume assays are referred to external laboratories for analysis; these may take weeks for a result to become available. Please contact the laboratory if there is any urgency for these investigations. Information regarding specimen type for referred tests can be obtained by contacting the laboratory.
In line with accreditation requirements, we endeavour to use accredited laboratories whenever possible. Further information on the reference laboratories we use can be obtained from the Individual Head of Section or from the Quality Manager if required.
Authorised results are available on the ICE system, which is updated in real time throughout the day. If a result is needed urgently and/or cannot be found via the ICE system the laboratory may be contacted on the phone numbers below. Note: Primary Care users should contact the NNUH laboratory.
James Paget University Hospital: 01493 452846 (or internal ext. 2846)
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital: 01603 286929 (or internal ext. 2929)
Queen Elizabeth Hospital: 01553 613490 (or internal ext. 3490)
Consultation about investigation and management of conditions is welcomed. For advice on diagnosis and the interpretation of Clinical Biochemistry results or advice on treatment during normal working hours (Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30) contact the Duty Biochemist on 01603 646685 or email [email protected]
Outside normal hours of service they can be contacted through the NNUH hospital switchboard. Tel: 01603 286286. Due to information governance compliance requirements, results or clinical advice cannot be communicated directly to patients.
For Clinical Biochemistry telephone limits please click here
For Acute Kidney Injury algorithm click here
For guidance on the reporting of estimated GFR (eGFR) click here
For guidance for the interpretation of elevated serum potassium in primary care click here
For information about key factors that are known to affect test performance and result interpretation click here
For advice on use of vacutainers click here.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. However, routinely staffed and most responsive during our core working hours.
Core Hours:
The JPUH laboratory can be found at the rear of the building on the ground floor sign-posted “Pathology – Blood Tests”
Open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year
The NNUH laboratory can be found in East Block Level One sign-posted “Pathology”
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. However, routinely staffed and most responsive during our core working hours.
Core Hours:
The QEH laboratory can be found at the rear of the building on the ground floor, in area 4, the green section sign-posted “Pathology & Blood Tests”
EWC-D-001 Last updated 23/09/2026 (6)