As of 16th December 2024 AWMGS will have vacated the Institute of Medical Genetics (IMG) and will no longer be able to receive sampleson the UHW campus.
AWMGS staff will no longer be on site to collect samples from other departments. If your samples are currently collected by AWMGS staff, you will need to arrange for your samples to be delivered to UHW Main Pathology Reception.
A schedule has been established with the Heath Courier Service (HCS) to provide support in sample collection from a single collection point in UHW Main Pathology Reception, and an onward delivery service to CIGC Specimen Reception.
It is the referring department's responsibility to ensure their samples are delivered to the collection point. This service will act as a direct pathway for samples to reach CIGC Specimen Reception, from UHW.
Signage will be present to redirect any sample deliveries that arrive at IMG Reception after it is vacated at5pm on 13th December. Deliveries will be redirected to UHW Main Pathology Reception, where they will be collected by the HCS and transported to CIGC.Samples delivered to the incorrect location could result in delays in sample delivery to CIGC.
Important: Up until 5pm on Friday the 13th December 2024, samples will still be received at IMG Reception, as per normal, please do not send samples to CIGC before the 16th December.
While we are not anticipating this change to cause significant delays, please note, it is the referringdepartment’sdecision whether they wish to utilise this supporting service.
If there are critically urgent samples, it is the referring departments’ responsibility to ensure samples reach CIGC within the required time period. This may require departments to arrange for their ownurgentsample transport to CIGC.The AWMGS receives samples by taxi and commercial couriers in these situations.
From the 16th December 2024, samples are to be delivered to our new facility;
All Wales Medical Genomics Service
Canolfan Iechyd Genomig Cymru (CIGC) / Wales Genomic Health Centre
Cardiff Edge Business Park
Longwood Drive
Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 7YU
Service delivery process
If you are utilising a pre-existing process with the Health Courier Service (HCS), please ensure that the address is as specified above.
Please note: The samples delivered utilising pre-existing HCS process, will be delivered to CIGC via the UHW Post Room. A HCS schedule has been set up to support this. Please consider the potential risk of extended delivery times, as there will be an additional transport time from UHW to CIGC.
It is the responsibility of the referring department to arrange/manage changes to URGENT samples delivery direct to CIGC.
If you are utilising a private courier service/royal mail to deliver directly to CIGC, please ensure you use the new address provided above.
Health Courier Service Information
A schedule has been established with the Heath Courier Service (HCS) to provide support in sample collection from a single collection point in UHW Main Pathology Reception, and delivery service to CIGC Specimen Reception. The scheduled collection times have been set up to replicate the existing specimen reception collection times, currently carried out by AWMGS staff at UHW (4 times a day, monday-friday)
Collection point: UHW Main Pathology Reception
Time |
Location |
Activity |
09:00 |
UHW Main Pathology Reception |
Collection of samples |
09:30 |
CIGC |
Drop off samples |
11:00 |
UHW Main Pathology Reception |
Collection of samples |
11:30 |
CIGC |
Drop off samples |
13:30 |
UHW Main Pathology Reception |
Collection of samples |
14:00 |
CIGC |
Drop off samples |
15:00 |
UHW Main Pathology Reception |
Collection of samples |
15:30 |
CIGC |
Drop off samples |
Referring Department’s Responsibilities
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to ensure their samples are deposited at the collection point
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to enable access to UHW Main Pathology Reception including arranging security access with CAV Pathology Main Specimen Reception by contacting; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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To determine if utilising the HCS schedule is appropriate or if separate courier is required for urgent samples.
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To ensure samples are appropriately packaged for transport .
HCS Sample Packaging
It is a requirement that samples are appropriately packaged by the referrer. The HCS practices align with compliance under UN3373, specifically with the packaging instruction P650, which outlines three levels of packaging:
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Primary Receptacle: This is the container that holds the sample, whether solid or liquid, often contained in a small plastic envelope with paperwork detailing the tests required.
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Secondary Packaging: This should contain the primary receptacle along with adequate absorbent material to soak up any fluid in the event of a spillage.
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Outer Packaging: Finally, the samples will be transported in an outer packaging, such as a box or bag, which is handled by our operatives.