UK National External Quality Assessment Service for Microbiology (UK NEQAS)

The external Quality Assurance Department (eQAD) is responsible for the organisation of the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service for Microbiology (UK NEQAS).

Participants in the schemes receive regular distributions of specimens of known but undisclosed content which, if examined by the participants using routine procedures, provide a valuable tool for the management of quality within the laboratory.

Most areas of microbiology are covered including bacteriology (with antimicrobial susceptibility testing), virology, parasitology, mycology and schemes based on a range of technologies including molecular detection methods. Schemes are under constant review and development. With over 1,600 participants from 36 countries, the scheme provides an international benchmark for quality.

Further information can be found on the UK NEQAS for Microbiology website.