We are pleased to announce that from the 30th May 2022, the Andrology Department at Good Hope Hospital will be working to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 6th Edition for the examination of semen (diagnostic semen analysis). This will include a change to some of the lower reference limits (volume, concentration, motility and vitality), differentiation of round cells and amendments to result interpretation where appropriate.
The User Handbook can be accessed here: Andrology User Handbook
The laboratory's priority is to provide a comprehensive semen analysis service for Consultants, Urologists and General Practitioners from the Birmingham and Solihull area. This includes semen analysis for fertility investigations (Diagnostic Semen Analysis), post-operative analysis of semen following a vasectomy operation (Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis) and retrograde analysis of urine.
The laboratory operates on a clinic based service and has a maximum capacity of 2500 appointments available per annum. This covers the annual workload of routine diagnostic semen analysis, post-vasectomy samples and retrograde ejaculation analysis. Routinely patients will be given an appointment to attend the Andrology Department for on-site sample production in a designated private clinic room, however in exceptional circumstances samples may be produced off site if then able to be delivered to the laboratory within an appropriate time interval.
The UHB Andrology Laboratory has fully trained scientists who are highly proficient in performing quality diagnostic semen analysis in line with World Health Organisation (2021) and the 2016 Laboratory Guidelines for post vasectomy semen analysis. The laboratory regularly performs internal quality control, participates in the UK National External Quality Assurance scheme for Andrology (UKNEQAS) and liaises with other accredited laboratories for comparison of tests not covered within the UKNEQAS scope.
A laboratory referral can be made via:
A copy of the referral form can be obtained by;
Contacting the laboratory directly on 0121 424 9717
Or by downloading from here Andrology Referral Form
Or by GP’s accessing the word version at: https://hgs.uhb.nhs.uk/gps/
Off-site production can be arranged by the patient by telephoning the laboratory on 0121 424 9717 or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (if you e-mail you are accepting that the connection is not secure and potentially not confidential – laboratory staff will minimise data transmission but cannot guarantee security). Please note that retrograde urine production cannot be undertaken off-site. This must be on-site at Good Hope Hospital.
Turnaround Time: 7-10 days (electronic reporting may be more rapid). Paper copies currently sent. This is due to validation of reports by a second scientist.
Anti-sperm antibodies (ASAB) are not tested at this laboratory. Agglutination is described if noted.
Please see user handbook for additional information including contact details.
Accreditation information can be found at:
https://search.ukas.com/#/tabbed/search?q=andrology
Post-vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA)
The laboratory undertakes examination procedures in line with the following guidelines: 2016 PVSA Guidelines. This will give clinicians information regarding clearance criteria.
Results are avialble to Hospital clinicians via the two portals:
GP's can access patient results through their own electronic result systems, although paper copy reports are sent out following result authorisation.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Examination and Processing of Human Semen 2021 Guidelines
The WHO released the sixth edition of semen analysis guidelines in July 2021. The Laboratory will be implemented these changes on 30.05.2022. This includes a new set of lower reference limits and enhancements to user advice and guidance. There will be CCG notification when this goes live. If you require any further information please contact Stuart Long (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Updated 10.05.2022
Changes to Post-vasectomy semen analysis from 1st September 2019
Queen Elizabeth Hospital will no longer analyse semen samples for vasectomy success confirmation from the 1st September 2019. A referral form must be completed and sent to the appointment centre for the patient to be given an appointment to attend at Good Hope Hospital. All samples received into Pathology at Queen Elizabeth following this date will be rejected. Please contact the laboratory if you require any further information.
Retrograde Examination Procedure
Retrograde analysis is available at Good Hope Hospital. This will assess numbers of sperm and motility (if present). Morphology is not assessed as part of this examination. The test was assessed by UKAS for accreditation to ISO15189:2012 on 21/01/2020 and is now included as an accredited test.
If you require any further information, please contact Mr Stuart Long (Clinical Scientist) on 0121 424 9717 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The laboratories at Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital form part of the services provided by University Hospitals Birmingham and are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/
Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.
For further test information, please visit the test database: http://www.heftpathology.com/frontpage/test-database.html.
Protection of personal information - Laboratory Medicine comply with the Trust Data Protection policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and its employees to comply with the Data Protection act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.
For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 424 1235