Dear colleague,

Kindly be informed that a number of paper pathology request forms are being received where the signature of the requestor is not an original one but a photocopy. These requests are passing through primary health care either for delivery to MDH or for phlebotomy.

The practice of signing a blank request form and having this photocopied at clinics and nursing homes for any person to tick tests is an abuse on the system and is unacceptable. These requests are not being processed at pathology reception and the requestor is being asked to make a request electronically for these samples to be processed.

Dr. Christopher Barbara M.D. MSc (London), D.L.S.H.T.M., FMCPath., U.O.M.

Clinical Chairperson

Department of Pathology

Mater Dei Hospital

MSIDA

MALTA

Tel: 00356 2545 6516/7