Overview of Quality Standards at CfI Colindale

HPA Colindale is a large institute, consisting of seventeen reference and support laboratories, including the External Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL) which runs the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme for microbiology; the Food and Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit (FEPTU) ; the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC); and the Department for Evaluations, Standards and Training (DEST).

One quality system is in place within the institute which supports all of these laboratories and is managed from within the Department of Evaluations Standards and Training (DEST). HPA Colindale has a Head of Quality (also the Deputy Director, DEST) who is responsible for managing the quality system in place throughout the whole of HPA Colindale, supported by a quality team which includes a Deputy Head of Quality and Quality Assurance Managers who work closely with departments they support.

The seven reference laboratories are all accredited to CPA. The eQAD is accredited to the CPA EQA Standard. The London Food, Water and Environmental Laboratory, some aspects of work of the Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pathogens and the media quality control laboratory which performs quality control of all media produced by Colindale  Media Services are all accredited by UKAS to ISO 17025. Colindale Media Services and the Standards Methods Unit within DEST are registered to BS EN ISO 9001:2008.

The Food and Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit within eQAD, which runs the Food Microbiology EQA scheme, is UKAS accredited against ISO/IEC Guide 43-1:1997 and also ISO/IEC Guide 34:2000. Further details can be found in the Quality Statement below.

The Immunisation Department, which is responsible for the surveillance of national immunisation programmes and associated research into the efficacy and safety of new vaccines is compliant with Good Laboratory Practice for the vaccine trials that it manages

All the laboratories within HPA Colindale have a reputation for excellence based on the calibre of staff and their dedication to producing the highest quality service. By maintaining a quality system and obtaining accreditation to whichever standards are appropriate, HPA Colindale is showing its continued commitment to maintaining and enhancing its reputation across all aspects of the work of the institute.

Contact the CfI Head of Quality, Dr Ian R Sharp
Deputy Director, Evaluations and Standards Laboratory

Certificates

The PDF document below gives an overview of Quality Standards at Microbiology Services Colindale, including copies of all the laboratory CPA Accreditation Certificates and UKAS accreditation certificates.

Quality at the Microbiology Services Colindale Laboratories (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Update 2 April 2012

The UKAS website lists the tests for which MS Colindale has accreditation. View the UKAS schedule.

Last reviewed: 2 April 2012