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This section details information for the requesting of investigations, specimen requirements and communication of results for the department of Adult Histopathology; please see the separate section for Paediatric Histopathology.

Adult Histopathology is situated in Clinical Sciences Building 1 at Manchester Royal Infirmary and is part of the Department of Cellular Pathology. We provide comprehensive services to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, and Dental Practitioners and also provide specialist tertiary referral and opinion on a regional and national basis.

We offer the following histopathology diagnostic services with consultant sub-specialist reporting:

  • Gynaecological pathology
  • Gastrointestinal, pancreaticobiliary and hepatic pathology
  • Renal, urological and endocrine pathology
  • Haematological and lymphoreticular pathology
  • Osteoarticular and soft tissue pathology
  • Head and neck pathology
  • Dermatopathology
  • Cardiothoracic and respiratory pathology
  • Ophthalmic pathology

These are supported by our Immunohistochemistry, Electron Microscopy and Research services.

The histology department at Manchester Royal Infirmary also incorporates the Haematological Cancer Diagnostics (HCD) in partnership with the Christie, which is a Specialist Integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SIHMDS) for the Greater Manchester area. This service is accredited by NHS England and its director is Dr John Burthem. Further information can also be found here.

Autopsies are carried out by our Consultant Histopathologists, Specialist Doctors and Trainee Histopathologists within the adjacent Adult Mortuary. Further information can be found on the Adult Mortuary user guide or by contacting the relevant consultant pathologist.

Our department deals with approximately 30,000 surgical cases and around 1000 autopsies on behalf of HM Coroner annually. Our department comprises over 60 medical, scientific and ancillary staff and has an excellent reputation for clinical and scientific training. The ST1 Training School, which was opened in 2005, offers entry to run-through training for high quality entrants to the Histopathology specialist training scheme of the North West Deanery. We also have IBMS training status and support local universities in the training of Biomedical Science students.

(Last reviewed March 2023)