The combined microbiology and virology services for Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are delivered at our Central Pathology Laboratory based at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

The department consists of a consultant virologist, consultant microbiologists, one service manager, two technical managers and a team of technical staff. The Trust-wide Microbiology service processes in the region of 800,000 requests per year.

The department performs viral serology including antenatal screening investigations on an Abbott Architect and Biomerieux VIDAS. Viral load assays are performed using an Abbott M2000 PCR analyser. Respiratory and enteric virus detection is performed using AusDiagnostics multiplex PCR panels.

Molecular detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neiserria gonorrhoea is performed using the HOLOGIC Tigris Analyser.