Why does everything say "Fully booked" or "Not yet available"?

We release appointments on a 2-week rolling basis. For example appointments for 16/10/23 will have been released on 02/10/23. This is to ensure all patients are given a fair chance at booking a time slot. If all dates within the next 2-week time period state fully booked, this means we cannot book any more patients in. We are sorry for the inconvenience, however we have had a large backlog of patients which have accumulated and minimal staffing. Dates that are blank are either within the next two days or are on a weekend. Weekend and bank holiday days are unavailable to book as the laboratory is not open. Please try not to call the laboratory regarding being unable to book online as the telephone line comes through to the scientists who are trying to process samples.

Can I rearrange/cancel my booking?

Yes, the page to do so is found here (Cancel Booking). Cancellations can be done online up 3 days before your appointment. After this time you will need to contact the laboratory on via email or phone (yhs-tr.andrology@nhs.net or 01904 726258) where a member of staff can help you.

What if I turn up early or late for my booking?

Your sample will be rejected if it exceeds an hour from time taken at your appointment time/when the laboratory can process your sample. Other specimens may be being dealt with/expected or staff may be on designated breaks if you arrive outside your appointment time. Therefore your sample may not be able to be processed. Please call the lab on 01904 726258 if you think you may be early or late and we will try our best to accommodate you where possible.

What if I don't make a booking?

Any specimens without bookings will be rejected. If you are having difficulties booking a slot, please keep trying the website as the laboratory may not be able to help via telephone.

What if I fail to turn up?

We urge you not to do this, though we understand it may be inevitable sometimes. If you cannot attend at short notice for any reason, please call the lab on 01904 726258. We are a busy laboratory with minimal staff and Andrology is not our sole investigation.

How do I get my results?

Your results will be sent to your requesting clinician/GP within 7-10 working days. It is outside our scope of practice to give results to patients. If there are any issues obtaining your results, please get your clinician/GP to contact us on 01904 726258 or yhs-tr.andrology@nhs.net.

How do I get to the accessibility options on the webpage?

Please be aware, accessibility is no longer supported by Internet Explorer. If there are any difficulties, please call the laboratory who will attempt to talk you through how to find the accessibility.

Click on the orange symbol with a person in the centre - bottom right corner.

Computer browser - a black "Reach Deck" banner will appear at the top of the page with multiple icons. Language icon is the google translation symbol and should be the 4th icon from the left.

Phone browser - a black banner will appear at the bottom of the page with 3 icons. Language icon is the middle cog icon.

For patients requiring translation services (including BSL), please contact the laboratory via phone or email prior to your appointment as access to an interpreter via telephone (video call for BSL) can be arranged if notified.

All other definitions/terminology seen on your information sheet/request form can be found here. (Definitions/Terminology)

Information sheets (including some translated versions) can be found here. (Information Sheets)

How do I check I am giving my patient the correct pot and information sheet?

Toxicity tested pots have an additional white label on them. A visual example of these are found here.

These pots were previously sent out with an information sheet, we now do not send out information sheets.  You should ensure that all old information sheets are disposed of and a new, up to date information sheets are printed and given to patients. Information is reviewed regularly and the latest copy can be found here.

Where do we get the request forms from?

An ICE request form can be generated through the ICE system. Currently, we still require a printed copy to be given to the patient. 

Purple topped Histology/Cytology or a Post Vasectomy forms can also be filled out. Examples of all 3 can be found on the Request Forms tab.

How can we order toxicity tested pots?

You can either email the laboratory yhs-tr.andrology@nhs.net or call on 01904 726258.

Where can we find information sheets?

A link to the information sheets can be found in the Information Sheets tab at the top of each website page. They can also be found on the ICE system and on the trust web page.

How can my patients get to the accessibility options on the webpage?

Please be aware, accessibility is no longer supported by Internet Explorer. If there are any difficulties, please call the laboratory who will attempt to talk you through how to find the accessibility.

Click on the orange symbol with a person in the centre - bottom right corner.

Computer browser - a black "Reach Deck" banner will appear at the top of the page with multiple icons. Language icon is the google translation symbol and should be the 4th icon from the left.

Phone browser - a black banner will appear at the bottom of the page with 3 icons. Language icon is the middle cog icon.

For patients requiring translation services (including BSL), please contact the laboratory via phone or email prior to the patients appointment as access to an interpreter via telephone (video call for BSL) can be arranged if notified.