Our areas of speciality include:
- Cytology
- Histopathology
- Point of Care Testing
- Molecular Pathology
- Microbiology
- Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank)
- Immunology
- Haematology
- Specimen Reception
- Chemical Pathology
- Mortuary
Our laboratory departments
Specimen Reception
Specimen Reception receives and checks all samples arriving at the laboratory and enters test request information into the laboratory computer system.
Head of Department: Leeanne Olsen
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Patient Services
A team of phlebotomists, receptionists and couriers collects and delivers good quality specimens to the laboratory.
Head of Department: Julie Page
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes within the body. Biochemistry performs qualitative and quantitative analyses of body fluids such as blood and urine.
Head of Department: Philippa Holdaway
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Cytology
Cytology is the study of cellular disease. Our main cytology work in the laboratory is screening cervical smears.
Head of Department: Abed Kader
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Haematology
Haematology involves the analysis of blood, its cells and diseases.
Head of Department: Rebecca O’Toole
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Histology
Histology is the study of body tissues to establish the cause, origin and nature of disease.
Head of Department: Abed Kader
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Immunology/Serology
Immunology looks at the body’s immune system, disorders and disease.
Head of Department: Paul Tustin
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Microbiology
Microbiology isolates and identifies micro-organisms like bacteria, fungi and parasites from clinical specimens.
Head of Department: Koen van der Werff
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Molecular Pathology
Molecular Biology tests Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from patient samples to detect infecting micro-organisms, viruses and genetic mutations responsible for disease.
Head of Department: Koen van der Werff
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Mortuary Department
The mortuary team does coronial, forensic and hospital post mortems, runs a perinatal service, a return to patient service and family viewings.
Head of Department: Abed Kader
Email: wlg.contact@awanuilabs.co.nz
Point of Care Testing Department
Point of care testing (POCT) is laboratory testing that is performed near or at the site of the patient with the result leading to possible change in the care of the patient.
POCT Co-Ordinators for Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast: Ruth Beeston and Nicola Beamish
Te Whatu Ora Hutt Valley and Wairarapa: Bernice Smith and Casey O’Byrn