Ever wondered what happens after a blood test? Our MP took a trip around Eastbourne DGH's laboratory to find out

The Trust’s pathology department performs around six million tests each year.

Pathology is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids such as blood and urine, as well as tissues.

Pathologists use chemistry, clinical microbiology, haematology and molecular pathology in their work.

Virtually every patient’s diagnoses or monitoring of their condition is undertaken through some form of pathology test which 
will includes analysis of tissue, cell, and body fluid samples.

There are around 60 people working in the pathology department at Eastbourne DGH and they are supported in their work with some of the most technologically advanced analysers which help to turnaround tests quickly.

This includes around 2,500 tests each day for GP practices across East Sussex.

Stephen Lloyd MP said, “It was absolutely fascinating to visit the pathology department at the DGH, not least to learn of the sheer scale of tests and biopsies the department undertakes.

“I am type 2 diabetic for instance, and I discovered they perform around 600 tests a day to monitor and diagnose diabetes.

“Overall the department conduct, across the whole trust, an astonishing six million tests a year for all the different tests they do.

“I learnt a lot from my visit and was enormously impressed by what I saw.

“Thank you to the Dr Joel Newman, their head and Jacquie Munroe, one of their lead scientists, for showing me around the department.”

Dr Joel Newman consultant haematologist and trust pathology clinical lead, said, “We were delighted to be able to show Stephen the wide range of tests we undertake in our laboratory to help diagnose and monitor a patient’s disease.

“We have benefited from significant investment in our laboratories recently and are rightly proud of the range of tests we are able to offer and the speed at which we are able provide results.”