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The Thames Valley Haemato Molecular Diagnostic Service

Our vision| | Contact us|

The Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) and the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (OxBRC) have joined efforts to create a comprehensive molecular diagnostic service for a range of haematological conditions. The services offered are divided into four main areas:

1. Haemostasis:
   Haemophilia and thrombophilia genetic testing in conjunction with the Oxford Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre
2. Haemoglobinopathies:
   We are the National Reference Laboratory for Haemoglobinopathies (NHRL) offering extensive molecular investigation of alpha thalassaemia, beta thalassaemia, abnormal haemoglobins and the sickle cell syndromes
3. Haemochromatosis:
   Screening for the HFE and rare gene mutations
4. Haemato-oncology:
   An integrated phenotypic and molecular service for the management of haematological malignancies.

Our vision

Serving patients: integrated diagnosis

We are committed to delivering state-of-the-art diagnosis of haematological conditions using a range of available technologies such as morphology, coagulation, haematopathology, immunophenotyping, molecular biology and cytogenetics.

We are based in one single laboratory allowing samples to arrive in a central specimen reception and to be processed according to set algorithms. Results are reviewed by specialists of each section and integrated and summarised in a medical report for the multidisciplinary team meetings of the respective conditions.

We aim to increase speed and accuracy of diagnosis and to provide individualised diagnoses to patients and clinicians. In future, this will hopefully translate into giving the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, and will ultimately lead to an improvement in quality of life and life expectancy.

Serving patients: translational research

As part of the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre we are keen to develop and validate new technologies and to improve diagnosis and prognostication of haematological diseases. We are actively involved in a range of independent and collaborative research activities. In addition to this we are developing partnerships with research funds, the NIH and industry.

Contact us

Address for sending specimen

• Thames Valley Haemato Molecular Diagnostic Service (TVHMDS)
  Haematology Laboratory
  Level 4, John Radcliffe Hospital
  Headington
  Oxford OX3 9DU
• Laboratory Service hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
• User guide (pdf)
• Request form (pdf)
• Patient information and consent form for tissue sample storage (pdf)

Enquiries and information

• Email for advice and enquiries: molhaem@ouh.nhs.uk
• Haematology molecular genetics laboratory: 01865 225298
• Immunophenotyping laboratory: 01865 851084
• Secretaries: 01865 225329

Clinical and OxBRC Research leads   

• Dr Anna Schuh MD, PhD, MRCP, FRCPath
• Dr Chris Hatton FRCP, FRCPath

Scientific Director/Deputy Scientific Director

• Dr John Old PhD, FRCPath
• Dr Shirley Henderson MSc PhD

Laboratory Manager

• Mr Dan Smith C.Sci. FIBMS