Pathology Services at Spring Farm Medical Centre

Pathology services are an important part of your care. At Spring Farm Medical Centre, we have a Clinical Labs collection centre located onsite, so you can have your tests done conveniently during your visit.

Our pathology services include but are not limited to:

• Collecting and analysing blood, stool, urine, and tissue samples
• 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (by device, when referred by your doctor)
• Holter monitoring to assess heart rhythm
• Prenatal testing, including pregnancy hormone checks (HCG) and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
• Collecting paediatric samples when required for genetic, metabolic, or other medical investigations

Do I need an appointment?

Most tests are available on a walk-in basis at our onsite Clinical Labs collection centre. Some tests may require fasting.

Are there any out-of-pocket fees?

Most pathology tests performed by Clinical Labs are bulk-billed if you have a valid Medicare card. Patients with valid OSHC or OVC may also be eligible for direct billing.

What is pathology?

Pathology is the study of blood, tissues, and bodily fluids to help diagnose, monitor, and manage disease. It can also include the use of medical devices to measure your health over time.

Having Clinical Labs onsite at Spring Farm Medical Centre means your samples are collected here, then processed using the latest diagnostic techniques. Your doctor then uses these results to make informed decisions about your treatment.

What does a pathologist do?

After your sample is collected onsite, a pathologist carries out industry-regulated tests to look for abnormalities.

• Routine results such as blood counts, thyroid function, and inflammatory markers are often available within hours.
• More complex results, such as bacterial cultures or antibiotic sensitivity, may take several days.
• Biopsies and genetic testing can take weeks.
  

Once the results are ready, your doctor will review them with you and guide the next steps in your care plan.

What tests are done in pathology?

Some common tests available through our onsite Clinical Labs include:

• Routine blood tests: full blood counts, thyroid function, inflammatory markers, protein levels
• Pregnancy-specific tests such as HCG and NIPT
• Condition-specific tests (e.g. coeliac disease blood tests and tissue analysis)
• Microbiology tests to guide antibiotic treatment
• Ambulatory monitoring (Holter and blood pressure)
• Pre-surgery tests including blood grouping, group & save, and cross-matching
• Urine and stool analysis
• Cytology (e.g. cervical smear analysis)
• Immunology tests to check immunity
• Genetic testing, including chromosomal and inherited disorders

How long do pathology results take?

Timeframes vary depending on the test:

• Routine blood tests: usually within 1–2 days
• Cultures: several days
• Biopsies: up to 2–3 weeks
• Genetic testing: several weeks
  

While Clinical Labs processes results promptly, your doctor will review them in the context of your overall health before discussing them with you.

At Spring Farm Medical Centre, having Clinical Labs onsite makes pathology testing simple, quick, and convenient. To learn more, or if you have any questions, please call us on (02) 4622 1440.