UK NEQAS for Parasitology provides accredited External Quality Assessment (EQA), for clinical laboratories in the UK and internationally. The organisation is part of the UK NEQAS Consortium which provide EQA across the majority of pathology disciplines. With more than 50 years of experience, UK NEQAS is the longest provider of EQA, serving over 2000 participants in over 100 countries, bringing a legacy of expertise and education to its customers.
UK NEQAS for Parasitology has been providing EQA for 40 years (1986-2026) and is a leading provider for Parasitology EQA and teaching. The EQA schemes cover examinations in parasite microscopy, serology, nucleic acid detection assays, and rapid antigen-detecting lateral flow tests, plus electronic EQA schemes for parasite morphology. Teaching schemes for blood and faecal parasitology are provided in regional in-person wet lab sessions within the UK and Republic of Ireland and on-line for non-UK participants.
In the early 1980s the standard of diagnostic parasitology in the UK was poor and in response, UK NEQAS Parasitology was formed in 1986, starting with blood and faecal parasitology using real-life clinical samples to reflect the reality of day-to-day laboratory practice. Over the years this has expanded to cover serology, rapid diagnostic antigen detection tests, nucleic acid detection and electronic morphology schemes.
Further to reinforce learning from the microscopy schemes, a wet-lab teaching scheme was introduced in 1993 taught by experienced parasitologists using real (clinical) materials. The teaching programmes are proven to be extremely popular as provide valuable skills (both within the UK and globally) in the development of microscopic examination required to identify parasites. The teaching programmes are accessible via face-to-face and online training. Bespoke training is also considered upon request for teaching within country.
UK NEQAS for Parasitology values professional interaction with scheme participants and use lessons learned to try to improve the service we provide, so please let us know how we are doing.
