About the laboratory

The Anatomical Pathology team’s newly refurbished laboratory is delivering in droves, but so did the team during the renovations.

This project, has delivered a world-class anatomical laboratory, designed to significantly improve workflows and work functions.

Histology, Supervising Scientist, Kellie Cowley says her team of 22 scientists and technical officers is taking great pride in the new space.

‘Ultimately, every patient that sends a specimen across has an enthusiastic team looking after them,’ says Kellie.

Our team provides critical tissue diagnostic services to the ACT.

Histology is the microscopic study of the body’s tissue to understand how cells are organised, how they function together and how disease changes their normal structure.

My amazing team is responsible for a very involved preparation process of all types of tissue that come into the lab. Samples can be collected from anywhere in the body and can range from tiny biopsies to large organs or limbs. Tissue is examined macroscopically to look for any obvious abnormalities, sampled appropriately, and then preserved, by removing water from the cells and replacing with paraffin wax.

We are then able to cut very thin sections of this tissue, adhere and stain on a microscope slide, so that light microscopy can be performed by one of our 13 incredible pathologists.

Any disease found can then be reported, which ultimately allows the patient’s care team to decide on how best to manage this outcome.

‘It’s a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment and now it has been made much easier to manage with the updated space. My team can focus on delivering exceptional quality with fast turn-around times, in an enjoyable space in which to work,’ says Kellie.

When asked what she loves most about her work, Kellie says knowing she makes a positive impact to thousands of people’s lives, without most people knowing she exists!

We contribute to the thousands of cases that pass through the department every year, ensuring that every specimen is treated with care and consideration.

Many people do not know that histology is a very manual process, where a large team is required to carefully handle each individual specimen so that they can be diagnosed.

‘I am also really fortunate to be able to manage the best team of hard working, intelligent people; we all work together fabulously, and they make my job easier every day,’ says Kellie.

Capital Project Delivery’s Clinical Liaison, Thomas Roberts says it’s a credit to the team of pathologists, scientists and support staff, who not only continued to provide their full level of service throughout the project but also managed the increase in demand to their services during this time.

‘Throughout the project there were opportunities to significantly upgrade equipment and increase the capacity of the working environment,' Tom said.

The laboratory now has more Grossing benches and Embedding stations, where pathologists and scientists inspect and prepare specimens, then embed samples in wax.

The new laboratory design provides significantly more space to allow staff to move more efficiently through processes.

‘To see the dedication of the pathology staff throughout the project and observe the positive impact of this project for the team is extremely satisfying,’ Thomas said

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