Microbiology is concerned with the detection, isolation and identification of microbes in clinical samples.
The NHS Lothian Microbiology service is spread over two sites: the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and St. John's Hospital, Livingston.
Within Microbiology there are a number of departments and specialisms.
These are:
- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Mycology (fungal studies)
- Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory (SMRL – for TB and related organisms)
- Scottish Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory (SERL)
- Scottish Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections Laboratory (SBSTIRL)
- Scottish Human Papilloma Virus Reference Laboratory (SHPVRL)
The Department of Medical Microbiology, due to staffing pressures, is unfortunately having to limit clinical queries to our telephone service from 3rd July 2023:
- Clinical questions should be escalated through user's own teams in the first instance
- Clinical staff must consult the relevant infection and laboratory guidance before contacting microbiology. These are:
- Antimicrobial guidelines for adults
- Antimicrobial guidelines for children and young people
- This website: Edinburgh laboratory medicine website
- There is also advice on how to contact microbiology on the antimicrobial companion.
- The Microbiology clinical advice telephone service will support:
- Clinical calls to Medical Microbiology from doctors ≥ FY2 grade.
- Weekdays, Monday- Friday, advice is available between 11am - 4pm.
- Calls out with 11am – 4pm period but within 9 am – 5 pm are for clinically urgent calls only.