Food, Water and Environmental Testing
The department provides a range of core tests for the detection and enumeration of organisms in in water, raw food products and food processing environments, for the purpose of informing the test requestor of bacterial content of samples. All investigations are chargeable, and further details of the core test repertoire and associated charges can be found in the downloadable test information leaflet below.
Sampling
The laboratory takes no responsibility for collecting samples, but does provide suitable sterile sample collection devices as part of the service. Customers should liaise with the laboraotry team to arrange collection of sample containers. Each sample must be accompanied by suitable request form.
Competent Authority
The Food Water and Environmental (FWE) laboratory was set up to undertake microbiological evaluations of water and food samples and has achieved accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standard to comply with international general requirements for the competence of testing laboratories; this will ensure testing conforms with European Union (EU) legislation.
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has designated the Veterinary service at theDepartment of Agriculture (DOA) as the “Competent Authority (CA)” for the purposes of inspecting and certifying meat and fish product, destined for export, as being fit for human consumption. The CA makes use of the FWE laboratory services to:
a) Determine that meat and fish product has been processed in a hygienic manner as required by the European Union specifically Regulations 178/2002, 852/2004, 853/2004 and2017/625.
b) Determine if potable water samples collected during inspections are fit for consumption.
Interpretation
The laboratory department does not provide any opinion or reference ranges for the interpretation of results obtained through the investigations performed. It is the duty of the requestor to interpret results, and source their own indicators for interpretation of the quality of the test sample.
Accessing the service
All customers of the Food, Water and Environmental service are required to hold a current Service Level Agreement with the department before testing will be undertaken. To engage the laboratory services for the first time please complete the form below and submit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Clinical Pathology
The department provides the only clinical pathology testing service in the Falklands. The department supports clinicians in the diagnosis and monitoring of Stanley and Camp residents as well as supporting the medical services of the Ministry of Defence at Mount Pleasent Complex.
This is a 24/7 service; the lab is fully staffed Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:30 and out of hours work is processed by the on-call Biomedical Scientist. The department receives on average 6 call outs per week. We are a busy department and are seeing a steady increase in workload year on year.
Blood Sciences
The blood sciences laboratory covers all activites of Haematology, Transfusion, Biochemistry and Viral Serology. The laboratory is well appointed with two Roche Cobas C311 analysers for the bulk of our cemistry work and a Roche Cobas e411 for special chimstry. Haematology is processed using Sysmex XN550 and CA600 analysers for full blood counts and a small coagulation repertoire.
Transfusion in the Falklands is supported by colleagues in UK Defense Pathology, essentially running as an emergency service only.
Serology for blood borne viruses is carried out on the Biomerieux mini-vidas.
Clinical Microbiology
The Clinical Microbiology lab uses conventional techniques for the isolation, identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of pathogenic bacteria. There is no automation in this area due to the small volume of work seen. The department utilises EUCAST guidlelines and breakpoints.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
The department has access to both a closed cartridge polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform, the Cepheid GeneXpert, and a Real Time (RT) Open Source Platform, manual extraction combined with ampliification on the QuantStudio 5. These pieces of equipment have allowed the department to not only meet the challenges of routine remote diagnostics, but also the extraordinary challenges posed by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, commonly known as Covid19. We recognise that NAATs are an increasingly important set of diagnostic tools and as such intend to stay abreast of emerging diagnostics in this area.
Contacting the Service
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: +500 28069
Laboratory
The laboratory is a multi-disciplinary department within the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The department runs two distinct service provisions; Clinical Pathology testing and Food, Water and Environmental testing.
Staff
The department has a permanent establishment of four scientist level staff, who all have specialist skills and knowledge areas, this provides the department with a robust ability to take on a range of testing services. The department is further staffed with two support staff who have worked in this generalist environment, and therefore have a broad range of skills.
Quality
The department is committed to, and has built a Quality Management System which governs all activities undertaken by this department, the Laboratory Quality Manual outlines this system.
Training
The laboratory department recognises the importance of investing in staff and providing opportunities for career progression. The KEMH laboratory is an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved training laboratory to support staff (Certificate of Acheivement Levels I and II) and pre-registration (Certificate of Competence) level.
The department works with Falklands College to support their provision of bespoke career apprenticeships, and we are further committed to accepting students studying in relevant science disciplines to undertake work placements with us during their term holidays.
For general queries about training or work placement opportunities please contact the laboratory manager by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contacts
General queries This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +500 28069
Laboratory Manager This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +500 28068
