Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Opens its New Automated Biochemistry Laboratory

5 Sept 2012
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead

Product news

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, UK, part of The Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, has opened its doors to a new multi-million pound Biochemistry Laboratory featuring an ADVIA® LabCell® automation solution from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics integrating multiple ADVIA analyzers.

The redesigned biochemistry laboratory is striving to reduce the time taken to test sample bloods by a third and provide greater capacity for the laboratory to handle up to 3,000 blood samples every day.

Sharon Appleby, Pathology Services Manager at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary commented, “The investment brings the laboratory up to national gold level standards, which means we have the very best equipment in the country for the testing of local patients. The laboratory is a tremendous asset for the Trust and includes an amazing overhaul of the existing equipment and facilities of which we are very proud.”

“Installation of the track system went smoothly and Siemens worked well in partnership with us - we were able to transition over to the new lab design with minimal impact on our daily routine,” Sharon Appleby continued. “The new automated track with connected analysers will help us smooth out the peaks and troughs of sample management, helping our laboratory to become more efficient and ready for any changes in workload into the future.”

Geoff Emmess, Head of Sales at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics said, “We are proud to have helped Huddersfield Royal Infirmary refit its biochemistry laboratory, which will help reduce test times and allow for sampling efficiencies to be realised. This will enable quicker diagnosis and treatment to take place, improving patient care at the hospital and surrounding GP practices.”

The Biochemistry Laboratory at Huddersfield Royal Informary includes an ADVIA LabCell automation system from Siemens , together with two sample managers, two ADVIA centrifuges, two ADVIA Centaur® XP Immunoassay systems and two ADVIA 2400 Chemistry systems.

A team of 40 biomedical scientists, support staff and laboratory assistants work within the laboratory to ensure inpatient and GP test requests are met.

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Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.Software PlatformsSoftware platforms are useful for various stages of laboratory experiments from data collection to data storage and processing. For instance lab software is available for system control, data management, data analysis and qualification / validation.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.AutomationAutomation in laboratories and manufacturing processes enhances efficiency, precision, and scalability by reducing the need for manual intervention. It plays a critical role in improving productivity, minimizing human error, and accelerating workflows in fields like diagnostics, drug development, and industrial testing. Automation technologies include robotic systems, automated liquid handlers, and process control systems that streamline complex tasks and ensure consistent, reproducible results. Explore our peer-reviewed product directory to discover the best automation solutions, compare options, read user reviews, and get prices directly from manufacturers.