First Australian university to be NATA accredited for veterinary anatomical and clinical pathology

Our Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services provide high quality services in anatomical and clinical pathology, microbiology, parasitology and molecular diagnostics to the University, veterinary profession, and research organisations.

NATA accreditation gives users the assurance that our pathology services meet the high levels of reliability and continual improvement set out in international ISO standards.

Associate Professor Damien Higgins, Director of the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, said, “We are pleased to announce that VPDS and Camden Pathology have now been jointly accredited by NATA for necropsy (Sydney), histopathology, and haematology and biochemistry. This makes us the first Australian university owned veterinary pathology lab to be accredited in these areas – a significant milestone nationally.”

“This has been a large and sustained effort from the team, with support from the School of Veterinary Science – congratulations all!” said Associate Professor Higgins.

“Achieving the highest international quality assurance standards for testing laboratories, ISO17025, assures our clients and their patients of top-quality support, and allows us to model best practice in our teaching programs: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Animal and Veterinary Bioscience), residency and higher degree by research (PhD and Masters). 

“With our Animal and Veterinary Bioscience graduates and residents moving into laboratory disease investigation, and biotech roles in accredited and non-accredited labs, it is increasingly important to train them in a best-practice environment.” 

With the NATA accreditation process taking around 3 to 4 years, the pathology service now has a globally-recognised, peer-reviewed and endorsed accreditation that provides a unique level of assurance to members, clients and the community.

“It’s increasingly expected to be able to assure quality of service through transparency, accountability, and continual improvement. This spans across management systems, procedures, and culture, and has resulted in a more robust service in an increasingly dynamic and changing world,” said Associate Professor Higgins.

“Even before accreditation, our more robust management systems and processes were significant in our ability to maintain quality service and teaching through COVID-associated disruptions.”

Professor Mark Krockenberger, Professor of Veterinary Pathology, said, “Congratulations all, particularly Damien Higgins, Director; and Kathy Brammall and Ignacia Meza Cerda, Lab Managers, for leading the process, and to all who have made sure this happened. An excellent outcome for us as diagnostic laboratories.”