Improvements to the Andrology Service (Southend Hospital)

Earlier this year, we enhanced the andrology services and created the Andrology suite to provide patients with discrete sample drop-off, the introduction of an electronic booking system for appointments, and automation software for an increased turnaround of results.

Please can we request you refer your patients to the Southend Hospital website using the link below:

http://www.southend.nhs.uk/for-patients-visitors/male-fertility-and-post-vasectomy-tests/

This web page provides patients with information:

• How to book their appointments using SwiftQueue.
• Further information about the two clinics, one for andrology fertility testing and the other for post-vasectomy testing.
• A link to the patient information leaflet is to be completed by the patient. It can be printed by the patient at the time of booking or handed out with the request form and red top semen analysis pot.
• The contact telephone number for the laboratory if the patient has any queries about the test.

The pots used for this test must be the red top ‘semen analysis’ pots, as these pots are tested for toxicity, and therefore will not affect sperm quality.

These can be requested by pathology stores. We are no longer sending out kits, therefore, we require when referring your patients for the test, the test is raised either on GP ICE or a semen analysis form that must include complete patient and GP details is completed if GP ICE cannot be used.

Please note: this service has now been centralised at Southend Hospital as patients are still trying to contact Basildon and Thurrock HospitalS for appointments.