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Virology is an expanding discipline with newly discovered viruses, greatly improved tests, new antivirals and novel vaccines. We are committed to improving clinical virological provision to patients both in hospitals and in primary care. After all, viruses are one of the commonest reasons for visiting a general practitioner and cause much morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of the Network is to provide a modern and comprehensive virology service, with equality of service provision across the UK. This will be achieved by co-ordination of clinical protocols and algorithms, sharing of any information on test performance, regular scientific meetings and pooling of intellectual resources. It is also hoped eventually to co-ordinate purchasing for laboratories within the Network. Another primary aim is to provide excellent epidemiological services to inform the public health and government bodies including the Health Protection Agency, Departments of Health and Public Health Laboratories. A third aim is to co-ordinate and improve training of clinical virologists, whether they have a medical, scientific or technical background.
The UK CVN aims to work as both a managed clinical network and as a local area network. The Specialist Virology Centres (SVC), each of which is located in an academic centre, will act as the driving force for service and epidemiological provision of virology in that area. Specialist Virology Units (SVU) are smaller laboratories with a specialist virological expertise which do not provide as wide a range of services as the SVCs.Some SVU may be located in District General Hospitals initially; however the aim is to provide support to units so they can eventually become centres.The UK CVN believes it is critical to work closely with district general hospital microbiology laboratories to provide a cost-effective and evidence based virological service across the entire area. This will be co-ordinated by Area Virological Committees.
Specialist Virology Centres:
Belfast
Birmingham
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Dublin
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Leeds
Leicester
Liverpool
London East (Royal London/Barts)
London North Royal Free
London North UCL
London South (St George's campus)
London South (St Thomas’ campus)
London South (King's campus & Health Protection Agency)
London West (St Mary’s/Chelsea & Westminster)
London West (Charing X/Hammersmith)
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Sheffield
Sunderland
Swansea
Specialist Virology Units:
Aberdeen
Dundee
Hull
Inverness
Norwich
Preston
Plymouth
Southampton/Portsmouth
Note: we propose that there be 20 SVC and an undetermined number of SVU (around 10) throughout the UK. SVU could evolve to SVC dependent upon local needs.
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The Network will consist of a linked and co-ordinated group of laboratories and clinical virologists distributed in all major centres throughout the UK and Ireland performing modern and quality assured assays. It will provide evidence-based and practical virological advice to the CMOs, Health Protection Agency and other national bodies on all aspects of viral diseases. There will be a close relationship with bacteriology laboratories. The Network will ensure there is a uniform approach to surveillance, a rapid but considered response to virological emergencies, centrally agreed protocols for the management of viral diseases and will ensure the establishment of best laboratory practice.
For more detailed information please click on the link below:
A National Strategy for Clinical Virology in the UK - The Formation of the UK CVN (PDF 458k)
NB. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read pdf files.If you don't have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded by following the link below.
The National Structure of the UK CVN - A collaborative clinical network
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Flow of virological samples & requests within a local pathology network
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Notes:
a. Some DGH will be SVU
b. In some areas, there will not be an SVC immediately: consequently specimens will be referred to an SVU
c. Some public health/epidemology samples of a highly specialist nature will be referred directly to a CVNRL
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This committee provides the strategic direction of the network. It has taken on the role of the PHLS Virology Advisory Committee and continues to advise the PHLS and its successor on all matters virological. It is composed of the following members:
Co-chairpersons
Treasurer
Representatives of the Royal College of Pathologists (3):
Chairperson of the virology sub-committee
Chief examiner in virology
Chairperson of the College Advisory Training Team in Medical Microbiology and Virology
Clinical Scientist representative
Medical Virologist representative
Biomedical Scientist representative
Commercial representative
Scientific co-ordinator
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| Position |
Current Incumbent |
Co-chair
Co-chair
Treasurer
RCPath representative1
RCPath representative2
RCPath representative3
Clinical Scientist
Medical Virologist
Biomedical Scientist
Commercial representative
Scientific co-ordinator
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Bill Carmen
David Brown
Pat Cane
Celia Aitken
Mark Zuckerman
Goura Kudesia
Tim Wreghitt
Husam Osman/Ian Hart
Alistair Gammie
Alasdair MacMillan
Graeme O’May
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1Chairperson of the RCPath virology sub-committee
2RCPath chief examiner in virology
3RCPath chair of College Advisory Training Team (CATT) in Medical Microbiology and Virology
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Please direct enquiries to Ann Smith (ann.smith@northglasgow.scot.nhs.uk)
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Use the pop up menu below to access a laboratory in your area:
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