TV chef opens new blood sciences department at Countess of Chester Hospital

Jun 15 2009 By Chester Chronicle

CELEBRITY chef Aiden Byrne visited the Countess of Chester Hospital for the official opening of the trust’s blood sciences department.

The new blood sciences department has been formed through the merger of the haematology and chemical pathology departments into a modern 21st century fully automated laboratory.

The Liverpool-born chef, who has made various TV appearances including Masterchef and who at 22 became the youngest chef to receive a Michelin star, recently returned to the North-West to open his own restaurant, The Church Green, in Lymm.

He visited the department and unveiled a commemorative plaque with medical director Virginia Clough.

The laboratory area has been fully refurbished and all old equipment used for blood testing has been replaced with state-of-the-art robotics and analytical technologies.

This laboratory - which cost approximately £750,000 to refurbish - is among the most advanced in the region and will provide a high quality, efficient service which will benefit both doctors and patients.

Blood science manager Martin Langan, who was a key figure for the project's success, said: "The introduction of the new systems has already improved turnaround times for key tests for acute areas like AED and ITU.

"The laboratory processes approximately 3,500 samples everyday and each sample may have many different tests requested."

Aiden was keen to stress that despite an unobvious connection between cookery and healthcare, his attendance was very significant as it highlights his return to the region after a lengthy career in London and demonstrates his care for the area.

He said: "I'm very proud to be here."

The new laboratory's automated systems allow for samples to be moved to each analyser automatically without the need for manual intervention.

Although the department has now been fitted with some of the most advanced equipment available, the overall cost of providing the service has actually been reduced.

The new equipment also has extra capacity built in allowing for any future increase in service demands.

Blood sciences is part of the pathology service, along with the cellular pathology and microbiology departments.