Download the laboratory handbook here

The Andrology Laboratory at the Heart of England Foundation Trust (HEFT) is currently operated from a single site located on the 2nd Floor of the Fothergill Block at Good Hope Hospital. It is planned that, in the future, clinics may also be delivered at the Solihull Hospital site, however this will be dependent on identification of suitable accommodation there. Users will be notified prior to any new arrangements.

The laboratory's priority is to provide a comprehensive semen analysis service for Consultants from within HEFT and for General Practitioners from the Birmingham and Solihull area. Retrograde analysis will not be undertaken in Andrology at HEFT, but referrals for this investigation will be actioned by the laboratory staff who will forward the details to Midland Fertility Services where these tests will be undertaken.

The laboratory operates on a clinic based service and will have 2300 available appointments per annum to cover the annual workload of routine diagnostic semen analysis and post-vasectomy samples. At present the ratio of diagnostic semen analysis to post vasectomy patients is undetermined but this will be monitored and feedback given in future versions of this handbook. Routinely patients will be given an appointment to attend the Andrology Department for on-site sample production in a designated private clinic room, however in exceptional circumstances samples may be produced off site if then able to be delivered to the laboratory within an appropriate time interval.

The HEFT Andrology Laboratory has fully trained scientists who are highly proficient in performing quality diagnostic semen analysis in line with World Health Organisation (2010) and Association of Biomedical Andrologist (ABA) guidelines. The laboratory regularly performs quality control, participates in the UK National External Quality Assurance scheme for Andrology (UKNEQAS) and has been accepted to be included on the HEFT schedule of ISO15189 accredited services.

A copy of the referral form can be obtained contacting the laboratory directly on 0121 424 9717.

Operates Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm

Minor changes to handbook

• Round cells will not form part of the main report, instead the presence will be indicated within the comments section for results ≥1 million per ml.
• Agglutination will not form part of the main report, although a report comment will indicate if agglutination was detected.
• The e-mail details of Stuart Long are This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Key details of the service:

Operates Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm

• Operates Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm
• Undertakes diagnostic semen analysis and post vasectomy analysis
• Appointment based with on-site room for sample production
• 7-10 day turnaround time (electronic and paper copy reporting)
• Target set at 95% <6 week wait for diagnostic semen analysis

 Further details of the service can be downloaded here