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MOHS Diagnostic Service

Written by Robert Storer on .

The Cellular Pathology Department provides Solihull Dermatology Department with a trained Specialist Biomedical Scientist and a Consultant Histopathologist to enable microscopic examination and rapid diagnosis during the skin surgery.

The Mohs frozen section procedure is used for the examination of unfixed skin excisions of confirmed Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and occasionally Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) occurring in areas that are clinically difficult to operate on. This includes the face, ears and neck areas and occasionally scalp region.

The procedure relies on frozen section technique, stepped levels and specimen mapping to assess the surgical margin of a specimen. Where tumour is still present at the margin, further tissue is taken and the procedure repeated until all surgical margins are free from tumour. The procedure allows for a surgical margin clearance of 0.5mm and is considered tissue sparing. This also allows for improved healing and reduced scarring in patients undergoing this procedure. Occasionally it may be necessary to fix the specimen in 10% neutral buffered formalin for processing at a later date at the laboratory. In these cases the specimen and request form must be transported to Heartlands Hospital labelled URGENT MOHS SPECIMEN.Healthy tissue is spared and recurrence is extremely rare using this technique.

Information regarding the surgery is supplied to the patient by the Dermatology Department.

MOHS Clinics run on Mondays and Wednesdays between 09:00 and 17:00.

  • For further information please contact the Solihull Dermatology department on 0121 424 5147

    • Last updated on .

    Mortuary Staffing Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Sites

    Written by Robert Storer on .

    The Mortuary Manager is Peter Cockcroft and he is based at the Heartlands site on ext. 42197.

    The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Designated Individual for Heartlands, Solihull and Good Hope Hospital sites is Dr Gerald Langman who can be contacted on  0121 424 3189

    The Cellular Pathology Head Biomedical Scientist is Martin Collard

    The mortuaries are staffed by a team of assistant technical officers that cover the three mortuary sites:

    • Bernie Winwood
    • Gemma Fahy
    • Sue Sparrow
    • Holly Wilkinson
    • Fraser Simpson
    • Last updated on .

    Mortuary Services Information

    Written by Robert Storer on .

    The Mortuaries and deceased patient viewing facilities are located in the pathology buildings of the BHH and GHH sites. Solihull Hospital Mortuary is located in the main hospital building on the Solihull Site. All of the mortuaries form part of the Cellular Pathology Department within Laboratory Medicine.

    The  opening hours of the mortuaries are Monday to Friday 08:00 16:30 for Heartlands and Good Hope site.  A covid related change in clinical activity means that Solihull Hospital mortuary is not routinely staffed throughout each day, but available for use by the Trust.  Where only one member of mortuary staff is available then a lunchtime closure of 13.00-14.00 imay be required. Outside of normal working hours there is controlled access to other Hospital staff via Hotel Services on each site.

    Transportation of deceased patients between the ward and the mortuary is arranged via the porters (BHH ext 40352, GHH ext 47411 and SH ext 44355). It must be carried out in a timely manner, please refer to the Trust's end of life and bereavement procedures found within the Trust http://uhbpolicies/bereavement-care.htm

    Protocols for requesting post mortems are available from the Bereavement Office 41476 (BHH), 45360 (SH) and 47404(GHH).

    For viewing bodies call the appropriate ward or department who can then contact the relevant mortuary to a arrange an appointment. 42197 (BHH), 45566 (SH) and 47325(GHH).

    • Last updated on .

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