Clinical Microbiology
The Microbiology service is a comprehensive, clinically-led service provided for Bacteriology, Infectious Serology (including Molecular services), Mycology and Parasitology testing.
We offer clinical advice for Infection Prevention and Control and we have access to a wide range of reference facilities for specialist and confirmatory testing.
Bacteriology
This service performs a wide range of testing for infectious diseases, including:
- Blood cultures
- Faeces (including Parasitology)
- Urines
- CSF
- Swabs
- Lower and upper respiratory tract
- Mycobacteria (TB)
- Mycology samples for fungal infection
- Routine screening (MRSA)
Infectious Serology & Molecular
This section provides specialist testing in the following areas:
- Infectious serology (including HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis, Helicobacter pylori)
- Molecular (including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoeae, Norovirus, Respiratory)
- Routine screening (Antenatal)
- HPV testing for patients from Cornwall and Plymouth (in conjunction with Cytology)
Key Clinical Microbiology Contacts
Head of Department
Dr Richard Bendall (Consultant Medical Microbiology)
01872 254900
r.bendall@nhs.net
Lead Biomedical Scientist – Clinical Microbiology
Dr Gemma Vanstone
01872 2524946
gemma.vanstone@nhs.net
Lead Biomedical Scientist – Clinical Virology
Herty Narcho
01872 2524975
h.narcho@nhs.net
Administration Manager
Kathy Pollard
01872 254974
kathypollard@nhs.net
Out of Hours on-call Biomedical Scientist
Bleep 3934 or via the Royal Cornwall Hospital Switchboard on 01872 250000
More information about Clinical Microbiology
- The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- Public Health England
- Lab Tests Online – A fantastic website for patients and clinicians alike on Pathology tests
- NICE CKS service – provides primary care practitioners with a readily accessible summary of the current evidence base and practical guidance on best practice in respect of over 330 common and/or significant primary care presentations.
