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DEST News

This page keeps you up to date with news regarding activities within the DEST. Contact us with anything that we can use on this page.

DEST Newsletters

The Department for Evaluations, Standards and Training publishes its newsletter every quarter. Follow the links below for the current issues.

ESL Newsletters

In 2008 The Evaluations and Standards Laboratory (ESL) was renamed The Department for Evaluations, Standards and Training (DEST). Follow the links below for previous ESL newsletters.


National Standard Methods

For all the latest information on standard methods and the Standards Unit go to the Standards Unit website.

Evaluations

For all the latest information on evaluations and the Evaluations Unit (MiDAS) go to the MiDAS website.

QCRU Workshop

The Annual QCRU User Day was held on 19 November 2007. Feedback suggested the peer group formed at this annual meeting would be interested in a workshop format. Therefore, QCRU will be hosting its first Workshop on Internal Quality Control and Laboratory Quality on 13 March 2009 as part of a two-day respiratory virus symposium (12-13 March 2009).
The workshop format would allow the group an opportunity to discuss the use of IQC reagents and other laboratory related issues, with a focus on the small laboratory.
For more information on the workshop or to register for this two-day symposium, please contact QCRU.

Reagents

  • New Batches of HIV1p24QC1, Anti-HBsQC1, HBsAgQC1, HBsAgQC2 and THBcQC1 available now.
  • Total HBcore QC2 is now available. It is primarily a weaker reagent for the assays with higher analytical sensitivity.
  • HTLV QC1 and QC2 are now no longer available. QCRU recommend the use of HTLV working standards from the National Institure for Biological Standards and Controls.
  • Influenza H5 positve control is being distributed via the QCRU. This is in collaboration with the Virus Reference Department. The positve control has CE marking in accordance with the IVD Directive.
  • HIV Rapid Test Device QC1 will be available December 2008. This reagent will be validated for many of the rapid devices for HIV used in the diagnostic laboratory.
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / Neisseria gonorrheae NAAT quality controls will be available December 2008. These controls will be in Lenticule™ format for ease of use and added stability.

CE Marking and You

The official certification date for our Annex II, List A and B reagents was July 9th 2004 and renewal of certificates occured in July 2007. Copies of the new certificates are available online.