UK NEQAS Reproductive Science

The United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service for Reproductive Science (UKNEQAS RS) is part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. UK NEQAS RS is accredited by UKAS against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2010 - Conformity Assessment - General requirements for proficiency testing. External Quality Assurance allows comparison of performance with other laboratories and ensures clinicians and patients have confidence in the service. Additionally, it provides evidence of continuing quality as required by various accrediting bodies. UK NEQAS RS offers 2 assessment schemes, Andrology and Embryology.
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TO ENTER RESULTS
Click GAMETE EXPERT for Sperm Motility, Interpretive Sperm Morphology and Embryo Morphology Schemes

Click BIRMINGHAM QUALITY for Sperm Concentration & Morphology result entry and to download reports

FAQs
Click FAQs for Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting Guide

Joining the Schemes
Please contact repscience@ukneqas.org.uk for enrolment information.

As well as the equipment you are using for routine patient work you may need to acquire the following equipment for participation in our UK NEQAS schemes:

Andrology: vortex mixer, computer with Internet connection is required. For the screen we recommend a width ≥ 1200 pixels and a height ≥ 600 pixels with a diagonal ≥ 15 inch (381mm). Consequently, tablets and smartphones are not recommended for assessment.

Embryology: computer with Internet connection is required. For the screen we recommend a width ≥ 1200 pixels and a height ≥ 600 pixels with a diagonal ≥15 inch (381mm). Consequently, tablets and smartphones are not recommended for assessment.

Contact Details:

UK NEQAS Reproductive Science Scheme
Department of Reproductive Medicine
Old Saint Mary’s Hospital
Oxford Road
Manchester, M13 9WL
United Kingdom

Tel No: +44 (0)161-276-6437
Fax No: +44 (0)161-276-6609

Email: repscience@ukneqas.org.uk

Staff:

Scheme Organiser – Mr Greg Horne

Deputy Organiser – Ms. Annette Lloyd

Scheme Manager – Mr. Peter Goddard

Quality Manager – Miss. Justine Hartley

Administrator – Mrs. Diane Shearden

Administrator – Mrs Karen Brackley

Additional Information:

Participants’ Meeting

We have an Annual Participants’ Meeting in March for which a nominal charge is made. This meeting enables participants to remain up to date in the latest issues and developments around Reproductive Science. Details are forwarded to all scheme members.

Andrology Workshops

Semen analysis workshops are held according to demand, with a maximum of 15 participants per day. These days are intended to assist participants with processing UK NEQAS RS Andrology samples. Staining techniques are not demonstrated. The whole training day is eligible for CPD points.

The day consists of an introductory lecture starting at 09.30. The remainder of the day is devoted to practical work. Practical sessions are on sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Participants will prepare 8 samples for sperm concentration, complete training videos of motility in groups of 3-4 and look at morphology on a one-to-one basis.

A course manual is supplied to all participants. UK NEQAS RS staff are available to answer questions throughout the day. There is a working lunch where delegates are encouraged to discuss any problems. Finally the course questionnaires are collected and the day ends at 16.00.

Participants MUST be able to:

  • operate a microscope
  • perform dilutions using an automatic pipette.
  • use a counting chamber.

It is also recommended participants have processed at least one UK NEQAS RS distribution before attendance on the course.

Dates for workshops are sent out to participating laboratories who have asked to be put on a waiting list two weeks prior to sending information out to all participants.

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