Scottish Human Papillomavirus Reference Laboratory

PURPOSE

The Scottish Human Papillomavirus Reference Laboratory (SHPVRL) is commissioned by National Services Division and Public Health Scotland. It provides identification and typing of HPV in order to guide the clinical management of individual patients and to supply detailed epidemiological information for health protection purposes.

SCOPE OF SERVICE

This includes the provision of:

  • Specialist diagnostic and expert advice service in specific clinical cases where it could help to inform clinical management, including (but not confined to) HPV testing in squamous cell head and neck cancers.

  • Support for data monitoring, audit and service developments (including assessment of new technologies) relevant to the Scottish Cervical Screening programme.

  • Testing services needed to evaluate the impact of HPV immunisation on the prevalence of HPV related disease, HPV type specific infection and HPV sublineages/variants in the Scottish population.

  • Advice and materials that support quality assurance and assessment related to HPV testing including for the Scottish Cervical Screening programme.

  • Research and development to include the development and assessment of new technologies to support HPV associated disease management.

  • A sample archive/biobank to support HPV based developments.

  • Contribution, through the reference testing function, to the data and knowledge of changing epidemiology of HPV to inform the optimum mix of immunisation, screening and testing required to reduce the incidence of HPV associated disease in Scotland.

NOTICE TO SERVICE USERS

Due to acute and unexpected global supply issues with the HPV genotyping test (Anyplex HPV28 Detection) that is currently used in the Scottish HPV Reference Lab (SHPVRL), we are looking to move to the Allplex HPV28 Detection assay. The Allplex test is very similar to the Anyplex test in that it is CE marked, detects the same HPV type range, performs well with external quality assurance schemes and we have validated it extensively. We are in the process of including the Allplex test in our accredited scope and we have applied for an Extension to Scope with UKAS. However, until we complete this process and the extension to scope is granted by UKAS, any reports associated with this test will include the comment "This test is currently unaccredited to ISO15189" as it will be unaccredited. We are anticipating that we will change to the Allplex test in July 2023 unless the situation with the global supply issue changes.

CONTACT DETAILS

Director: Dr Kate Cuschieri
0131 242 6039
kate.cuschieri@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Medical Consultant: Dr Ingo Johannessen
0131 242 6003
ingo.johannessen@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Office:
0131 242 6005

Laboratory
0131 242 6020

***Administrator: Mrs Kirsty Gray
0131 242 6039
kirsty.e.gray@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

***Working Hours: Monday & Thursday 10am-6pm & Friday 10.15am-2pm

Postal address
Scottish HPV Reference Laboratory (SHPVRL)
Microbiology
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
51 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA

Hays DX number
DX 6231202, Edinburgh 96EH

OPENING HOURS

Core laboratory hours are 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.
SHPVRL does not currently offer an out of hours service.