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Patients |
Information for patients
Biolab is a medical laboratory specialising in nutritional and environmental medicine. We measure mineral and vitamin levels, toxic metals, other biochemical levels that are related to the availability of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and we also have an extensive range of profiles for assessing the effects of Twenty First Century lifestyles on our bodies. The laboratory is staffed by a highly qualified team and participates in a number of quality control schemes. Many of our tests require expensive high-tech instrumentation and are not normally available at other pathology laboratories. Routine pathology investigations Allergy tests are referred to other laboratories.
Biolab is actively involved in researching the effects of nutrition and the environment on health and disease. We have our own library of research material and have published many papers in medical and scientific journals, (publications list available on request).
We are a doctor referral unit and will only perform tests requested by medically qualified doctors (registered with the General Medical Council) and dental surgeons (registered with the General Dental Council) and osteopaths (registered with the General Osteopathic Council) and chiropractors (registered with the General Chiropractic Council). All test reports will be sent to your practitioner. We cannot enter into direct discussions with you about your results, although we will be happy to discuss our findings with your doctor. Our senior laboratory staff comment on all reports with abnormal or unusual test results.
As of May 2007, we can also accept requests from other registered healthcare practitioners if we are supplied with the name and address of the patient's GP, to whom we will send a copy of our report(s). Please contact us for further details.
If you feel that Biolab tests would be of benefit to you please discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor can contact us to discuss the most appropriate tests, or for interpretation of test results.
Appointments
All patients attending the laboratory require an appointment, which can be made by telephone between 9am and 5:30pm on weekdays. Appointments between 9:30am and 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and up to 2pm on Fridays, are normally available within one week (there is a longer waiting list for some clinical tests). Before calling for an appointment please ensure that you have our green pathology request form, or a letter specifying what tests are required from your doctor.
For some of our tests it is necessary for you to spend just over one hour at the laboratory, and sometimes you will be required to fast and/or restrict alcohol intake beforehand, so please let the receptionist know which tests are required so that the necessary instructions may be given.
How to find us? Print off a map (MAP). Biolab is on the corner of Weymouth Street and Hallam Street (5 minutes from Great Portland Street and Regents Park stations, and 10 minutes walk from Oxford Circus). Biolab is just within the Congestion Charging zone, so patients arriving by car will have to pay the £8 congestion charge before 10pm on the day of visit (payable on-line [www.cclondon.com], by phone or at pay points in central London).
Payment of test fees
Biolab is a private unit and tests are only available on the NHS if your doctor or consultant agrees to settle the fee. We ask that patients settle their account at the time of the test appointment or that they send payment with postal samples. This reduces our administrative overheads and assists us in keeping our prices to a minimum. If you have medical insurance please confirm with your doctor, prior to the tests, if the Biolab test fees will be covered by your insurance policy.
Your comments
Biolab is committed to providing the highest level of services that meet the requirements, needs and expectations of our patients and doctors. We would like to hear from you if have any suggestions, compliments or complaints about any aspect of the service provided by Biolab. Please address these to Mark Howard at Biolab.
Other Information
If you require any further information please consult your doctor, and if he or she is happy for you to do so, or would like to discuss any specific aspects of Biolab tests, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to help in any way that we can.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions by patients
What is Nutritional and Environmental Medicine?
Doctors and nutritionist available for consultations at Biolab