Welcome to Clinical Biochemistry

Clinical Biochemistry (or Clinical Chemistry) is the discipline of Pathology where biochemical measurements are used to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention of disease.

Virtually every hospital in-patient or out-patient will require a biochemistry investigation. Many patients require multiple investigations, serial testing and emergency investigations. General practitioners are also making increasing use of the service.

Several professional groups can be found in hospital Biochemistry Departments: these include clinical biochemists (see www.acbi.ie) and medical scientists (see www.amls.ie). Medical consultants in the discipline are known as Chemical Pathologists (see www.rcpi.ie/pathology): this is the specialty title recognised by the Medical Council for the Register of Medical Specialists.

The department works closely with the following Service Departments:

• Department of Clinical Chemistry, AMNCH, Tallaght.
• Department of Clinical Biochemistry, St. James's Hospital.
• Department of Clinical Chemistry, Naas General Hospital.