Acute Assessment Unit
Microbiology laboratory services
We offer a comprehensive clinical and laboratory service for diagnosis and management of infections.
Microbiology laboratory services are provided by South West London Pathology (SWLP), an NHS partnership between Kingston, St George’s, Croydon University Hospital and Epsom & St Helier hospitals.
The networked microbiology lab is based in the hub laboratory at St George’s Hospital and processes over 3 million samples per year.
Our microbiology laboratories use sophisticated automated equipment alongside a wide range of advanced techniques to detect, identify and treat infections and to prevent the spread of infection.
We specialise in:
- bacteriology
- virology
- molecular diagnostics
- mycology
- parasitology
Results enquiries/laboratory office: 020 8725 5689 / 5695
Microbiology clinical advice
Our consultant team provide clinical microbiology advice on the diagnosis and management of infections and communicable diseases, results interpretation, antibiotic information and infection control.
Our clinical advice service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via switchboard – ask for the duty microbiology consultant. Please note that calls after midnight are only accepted at consultant to consultant level.
Microbiology e-referrals are an alternative way for Kingston Hospital clinicians to access clinical advice.
E-referrals are made via CRS and will be responded to same day if submitted by 3pm on weekdays. E-referrals submitted after 3pm or at weekends may not be dealt with until the next working weekday.
The team at Kingston Hospital consists of consultant microbiologists and antimicrobial pharmacists, working closely with the Outpatient Antibiotic Therapy team and the Infection Prevention and Control team.