Welcome! I'm a Consultant Chemical Pathologist at Rotherham Hospital, UK. I am head of the Clinical Biochemistry Department there. This department deals with what are commonly referred to as 'blood tests'. We measure the different chemicals in the blood which can help in the diagnosis and management of disease. The laboratory also measures chemicals in other body fluids, such as urine.
During my time training for this post and now in this job, it has become apparent that this area of medicine can be pretty confusing to those not working in it on a daily basis but who nonetheless need to know about it because their patients rely on them to request the tests and interpret the results. In addition many staff simply do not have the time to keep up to date with developments in other specialties outside their own field of work. So, my main reason for putting together this website was to try and provide information that would be useful to the users.
The way in which primary care (GPs and practice nurses) approaches laboratory investigations is different in emphasis from secondary care (Hospitals). I have therefore tried to divide the website taking this into account. I have also tried to take into account the needs of students and to this end I have a section which covers the kind of clinical biochemistry that a newly qualified doctor should be happy with. I am aware that it is vitally important that all laboratory staff have access to continuing professional development (CPD) and I have included a section to help with this.
In putting together such a resource it is inevitable that errors will appear. I would be very grateful if these could be pointed out to me! Feedback on how you find this site is also welcome. Please also note the disclaimer for this site.
