In this section
The haematology laboratory forms part of the Haematology Cancer Diagnostic Pathway for Greater Manchester (HCDP). Also know as the Haematological malignancy diagnostics service (HMDS). For adult haemtaological cancer diagnosis and adult bone marrows refer to the HODS system for full sample requirements and clinical pathways.
Click on the link for further information. For adults CSF testing also follow this pathway. HCDP information
TopGuidelines to the availability of tests
The results availability times given here represent the time generally required to produce a result following receipt of the sample in the laboratory. Sample transport times are not included.
Where appropriate, if a result is required the same day samples must be received sufficiently early to allow completion of the test. Contact the lab if the test you require is not listed.
These tests are available during the normal working day. See a list of haematology tests available outside core working hours.
For further advice and information call the laboratory on 0161 276 64030 or 64032.
TopGeneral Haematology
| Test (performed at ORC/Trafford/ Wythenshawe/NMGH) |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Reports available | ||
|
Full blood count and automated differential (ORC/T/W/N) |
1 x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – paediatric sample] [1x 0.5ml EDTA – paediatric sample] |
1hr | 4hr | 24hr |
|
Manual blood film (call the lab on 0161 276 4030) (ORC/T/W/N) |
Any of the above specimen types | by arrangement | 24hr | 24hr |
|
Reticulocyte count including RetHe (diagnostic for renal patients) Research parameter ONLY (ORC/T/W/N) |
Any of the above (from FBC sample) |
1hr | 4hr | 24hr |
|
Erthrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) (ORC/T/W/N) |
1x 3.4ml red cap EDTA (from FBC sample) (1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – paediatric) |
1.5hr | 4hr | 24hr |
|
Screening test for glandular fever (ORC/T/W/N) |
1 x 3.4ml red cap EDTA 1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – Paediatric |
30 min | Same day | 24hr |
|
CSF (ORC) |
1ml in grey top anticoagulant free tube | N/A | 4hr | 24hr |
|
Haemosiderin (ORC) |
Must be an early morning urine sample | 24hrs | 24hrs | 24hrs |
|
Bone marrow report (call the lab on 0161 276 4030) (ORC) |
4 slides + 1 x 3 ml EDTA | by arrangement | 7 days | 7 days |
|
Detection of malarial parasites by Antigen Test (call the lab on 0161 276 4030) (ORC/T/W/N) |
From full blood count specimen | 1hr by arrangement | N/A | 24hr |
|
Detection of malarial parasites – blood film (call the lab on 0161 276 4030) (ORC/T/W/N) |
From full blood count specimen | 2hr by arrangement | N/A | 24hr |
|
Heparin Induced thrombocytopenia (HIT test) (W – referred from ORC/T/N to Wythenshawe) |
1 x 4.9 ml brown top gel tube | 1 day | 1 days | 1 days |
|
Plasma Viscosity (W – referred from ORC/T/N to Wythenshawe) If urgent plasma viscosity required at ORC and TGH sites please contact the lab to arrange courier transport. |
1 x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml EDTA – paediatric] |
2hr | 24hr | 24hr |
Coagulation
|
Test (performed at ORC/Trafford/ |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Report available | ||
|
APTT (ORC/T/W/N) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate or, 2.9ml paediatric and adult] |
90 min | 3 hr | 24 hours |
|
Prothrombin time (ORC/T/W/N) |
As above | 90 min | 3 hr | 24 hours |
|
FDP D-Dimers (ORC/T/W/N) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric and adult] |
90 min | 3 hr | 24 hours |
|
Fibrinogen (ORC/T/W/N) |
As above | 90 min | 3 hr | 24 hours |
Anticoagulant control tests
|
Test (Performed at ORC/Trafford/ |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Reports available | ||
|
Heparin control (ORC/T) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 60 min | 3hr | 24 hours |
|
Oral Anticoagulant Control (INR) (ORC/T/W/N) |
As above | 60 min | 3hr | 24 hours |
|
LMWH assay (ORC/W) |
As above | 60 min | 3hr | 24 hours |
|
DOAC assay (ORC) |
As above | 120 min | 48hr | 24 hours |
Coagulation factor assays
|
Test (performed at ORC/Trafford/ Wythenshawe/NMGH) |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Reports available | ||
|
Factor II assay (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor V assay (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor VII assay (ORC) |
As above | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor VIII assay (ORC/W) |
As above | 3 hr | < 5 days | < 5 days |
|
Factor IX assay (ORC/W) |
As above | 3 hr | < 5 days | < 5 days |
|
Factor X assay (ORC) |
As above | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor XI assay (ORC/W) |
As above | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor XII assay (ORC) |
As above | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor XIII assay (ORC) |
As above | 3 hr | < 10 days | < 10 days |
|
Factor VIII inhibitors (ORC) |
2x Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 3 hr | < 1 month | < <1 month |
|
Factor IX inhibitors (ORC) |
2x Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 3 hr | < <1 month | < <1 month |
|
Platelets Aggregation Studies (ORC) |
Contact lab – ext 12123 | Same day by arrangement | by arrangement | < 5 days |
|
von Willebrand factor activity (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 3 hr | < 1 month | < 1 month |
|
von Willebrand Factor (ORC/W) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] | 3hr | < 1 month | < 1 month |
|
Collagen Binding Assay (W) |
1 x 4.9 ml Green cap vacutainer [1.3mL Neonate or 2.9mL Paediatric & adult] | N/A | < 1 month | < 1 month |
|
Ristocetin induced platelet aggregation (RIPA) (ORC) |
Contact lab – ext 12123 | Same day | by arrangement | <5 days |
Thrombophilia assays
|
Test (performed at ORC/Trafford) |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Report available | ||
|
Antithrombin (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] |
3 hr | <1 month | <1 month |
|
Lupus anticoagulant (ORC) |
4x Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] |
by arrangement | <2 wks | <2 wks |
|
Protein C (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] |
3 hr | <1 month | <1 month |
|
Protein S (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate, 2.9ml paediatric or adult] |
3 hr | <1 month | <1 month |
Blood transfusion
| Test (Performed at ORC/Trafford/ Wythenshawe/NMGH) |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Reports available | ||
|
Cross matching (ORC/T/W/N) |
Adult 4.9 ml EDTA blue cap Paediatric 3.4ml EDTA blue top Neonatal 1.2ml EDTA blue top |
60 min The presence of antibodies will cause a delay in the provision of red cells. In an emergency Group specific blood (ABO and Rhesus matched) can be prepared within 30 minutes of receipt of the pre-transfusion sample in the laboratory. |
Non urgent cross-matching can take from 2 hours or longer depending on the workload priorities at that time. |
N/A |
|
Blood group (ORC/T/W/N) |
Adult 4.9 ml EDTA blue cap Paediatric 3.4ml EDTA blue top |
10 min | Within 24hrs | 24hrs |
|
Group and save (ORC/T/W/N) |
Adult 4.9 ml EDTA blue cap Paediatric 3.4ml EDTA blue top Neonatal 1.2ml EDTA blue top |
30 min | Within 24hrs | 24hrs |
|
Cord blood investigations (ORC/W/N) |
4.9 ml EDTA blue cap (maternal) 4.9 ml EDTA blue cap (cord – labelled with baby’s details) |
2 hours | Within 24hrs | 24hrs |
|
Kleihauer test (ORC/W/N) |
Adult 4.9 ml EDTA blue cap | 60 min | Within 48hrs | 48hrs |
|
Direct Antiglobulin Test (ORC/T/W/N) |
Adult 7.5ml EDTA blue cap | 20 min | Within 24hrs | 24hrs |
|
Haptoglobin Estimation (sent away) |
7ml clotted red cap | N/A | Within 10 days | 10 days |
|
Antibody titre, paternal testing, quants and other NHSBT referrals. (NHSBT) NHSBT reserves the right to refuse to handle any inappropriately package/labelled samples. |
Adult 4.9ml EDTA blue cap | N/A |
NBS 5 working days |
NBS 5 working days |
|
Cell free DNA samples (cffDNA) for Antenatal patients. (NHSBT) NHSBT reserves the right to refuse to handle any inappropriately package/labelled samples. |
Adult 7.5 ml EDTA blue cap | N/A |
NBS 10 working days |
NBS 10 working days |
Haematinics
|
Test (performed at ORC/Trafford/ |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab) | ||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Reports available | ||
|
Serum intrinsic factor antibodies (carried out on patients with a low B12 level – less than 120ng/l) (Trafford) |
1 x 4.9ml brown top gel tube 1 x 1.2ml brown top gel tube (paeds only) |
N/A | 5 working days | 7 days |
|
Erythropoietin (EPO) (Trafford) |
1 x 4.9ml brown top gel tube 1 x 1.2ml brown top gel tube (paeds only) |
N/A | 5 working days | 7 days |
|
Haemochromatosis C282Y and H63D genotyping (Performed by the North-West Genetic Diagnostic Service) (ORC) |
Green cap vacutainer [1.3ml neonate or 2.9ml paediatric and adult] | – | <3 weeks |
<3 weeks
|
Red cell investigations
|
Test (performed at ORC/Trafford/ |
Specimen requirements | Results available (from time of receipt in lab). Inform the lab if a test is to be performed immediately. |
||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | Report available | ||
|
Urgent/pre-operative HbS screening test (Pts > 1 yr old) (ORC/T/W/N) |
1x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – inform the laboratory if a test is to be performed urgently] |
30min | 24hr | 10-14 workdays |
|
Routine Haemoglobinopathy Screening (T) |
1x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – inform the laboratory if a test is to be performed urgently] |
N/A | 10 workdays | 10-14 workdays |
|
Universal Antenatal Haemoglobinopathy Screening (T) |
1x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – inform the laboratory if a test is to be perfomed urgently] |
Provisional report: 3 workdays | 5 workdays | 7 workdays |
|
DNA Testing for the Haemoglobinopathies (North West Genetic Diagnostic Service for Haemoglobinopathy Support with advice on Haemoglobinopathy results please see: Information on Haemoglobinopathy Carrier States for health professionals) (ORC) |
4 x 3.4ml EDTA | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
G6PD Screen (performed on males only) (ORC) |
1x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – inform the laboratory if a test is to be performed urgently]
|
Within 4 hours Inform the laboratory if a test is to be performed urgently. Telephone the laboratory – samples screened on Fridays by arrangement with laboratory. |
3 workdays | 5 workdays |
|
G6PD Assay (ORC) |
1x 3.4ml red cap EDTA [1x 1.8ml red cap EDTA – inform the laboratory if a test is to be performed urgently] Referral form – external organisations to print and complete when sending a sample |
N/A | 3 workdays | 5 workdays |
(Last reviewed June 2025)