Welcome
Synnovis laboratories processes thousands of tests for specialist referral customers across the UK. Over the past two years, we’ve transferred many of tests to our hub laboratory, in Blackfriars, as part of our commitment to create a modern hub-and-spoke pathology service model.
Below, you can find all the information you need to:
- Prepare samples
- Transport samples to our laboratories
- Interpret results
Service user resources
Our service user resources page contains key information around Hub testing arrangements (including critical phoning limits), reference ranges and key contacts.
To visit the page, please click here.
Courier services
Synnovis has a bespoke and regular courier schedule with our logistics partners, Global Services Group (GSG). Schedules are reviewed regularly to minimise the amount of time that samples are in transit or in storage.
For any queries regarding collection arrangements, or to report a delayed or missing courier collection, please contact the Synnovis Customer Services team by calling 020 4513 7300 or emailing customerservices@synnovis.co.uk
Sample storage guidance and logistics
Synnovis takes all possible steps to ensure that the integrity of samples is maintained prior to them reaching our laboratories for testing.
All vehicles used by our logistics provider GSG are temperature controlled and we have worked with local phlebotomy services to help them safeguard samples prior to collection. We continue to monitor potassium levels in samples, as this allows us to detect any process anomalies.
This is particularly important during the extreme temperatures associated with changeable UK weather patterns. In the worst-case scenario, excessive heat or cold can lead to invalid results.
All samples must be placed into a Synnovis Transportation bag, sealed securely, and have all excess air removed before courier collection. Couriers are not responsible for bagging or sealing sample bags and should not be expected to do so.
Please follow the below advice when storing samples for collection:
- All samples should typically be stored at ambient room temperature while awaiting collection
- Do not refrigerate blood samples as these can be affected by the cold, leading to spurious results for some analytes
- Urines for microbiology should be collected in boric acid containers, which will ensure they are stabilised in the event of any delay in processing
- Urines and stool samples for biochemistry can be refrigerated if, for any reason, they had to be stored overnight. However, if you are having to store samples for longer than expected, you should contact the Synnovis Customer Services team so that collection arrangements can be reviewed
You can also escalate a courier issue with GSG directly. Guidance is provided within the pdf document below.
To view our test directory, click here.
Our Customer Service team is on hand to help with any queries from our service users. You can find out how to reach them here.
Read our latest specialist referral customer updates here.
