Quality Control and Assessment

Beaufort Cottage Laboratories operate internal quality control procedures appropriate to each department. External quality assessment is achieved for bacteriology by designation under the Horserace Betting Levy Board's CEM scheme now tested at least twice yearly by the Ministry of Agriculture. The laboratory is a member of the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) and is tested monthly for haematology and every two weeks for clinical chemistry. Our haematology department is also assessed daily, using Streck Laboratories' reference control material. Our biochemistry department is also assessed daily using internal quality assurance material and external quality assurance from Veterinary Laboratory Association Quality Assurance Programme.