After many years being based in Teignmouth, South Devon, Axiom is on the move. Due to the unprecedented growth in the demand for our services we have made the decision to relocate 6 miles to 'The Manor House', Brunel Road, Newton Abbot. This move is to allow us to further develop the service we offer to you our clients, and to ensure that we remain ....

.....“The Quality Clinical Pathology Service”.
The new 11,000 sq foot facility will allow us to benefit from smoother workflow, with all technical facilities being based on one floor as opposed to our current labyrinthine set up. The initial planning stage is well underway and as soon as we know a finalised move date we will contact you. It is planned to send all practices updated P650 compliant packaging with the new address on, we will also inform you of our new contact details, although in order to ensure a smooth transition we will still be contactable for a time on the old ones.

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We join a group of high performing Beacon Companies to whom others can look for leadership and examples of significant business performance. These companies can demonstrate outstanding business achievement across a range of criteria.

Axiom was granted the status in recognition of the substantial growth in performance, use of best business practice, proactive management planning and development of the business.

Peter Webb MRCVS (MD) of Axiom, said:

The old Topscreen has been improved and upgraded: instead of using specie specific monoclonal antibodies in the screening test, receptor technology has been in-corporated. Species specific antibodies has its limitations namely cross reactivity to IgG and its ability to detect some carbohydrate complexes.
This improvement eliminates these nuisances and means the screening test is available for the cat and horse as well as the dog. The price differential for the cat and dog screening tests is abolished.
Results will be reported as Indoor, grasses/weeds and tree allergens.

Allercept panels
In the next 3-4 months we will also be re-examining the composition of the Allercept panels. The indoor panel has already been tweaked with the inclusion lepidoglyphus and deletion of feathers. Pollen panels will be evaluated next in the Autumn/Winter ready for next season. The changes scheduled for July (in the price list) have thus been delayed for 6 months
The OLD HORSE 24 well, SERVICE 6 is replaced with the indoor (SERVICE 5) and pollen (SERVICE 1) panels similar to the current dog and cat testing

Receptor Technology
This advanced patented technology is available only from Axiom despite some competitors marketing materials claiming similar technologies…
…..read the small print

Moulds
Many will know my well-founded dislike to include moulds in immunotherapy vials.
The clinical significance of moulds is debateable. This year there have been very high mould (and pollen) levels and as a result mould reactions are much more evident this year. Moulds contain proteases which attack the other ingredients and reduce efficacy thus from January 2006 those prescriptions requiring moulds and other allergens will be sent in two vials. Further details in our revised allergy brochure (being produced) and the next edition of our newsletter. 

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Our team of cytologists have another interesting find to highlight; Emma Dewhurst identified Cryptococcus neoformans on a fine needle aspirate from a soft tissue swelling on the nose of a cat.

Cryptococcus neoformans, a yeast, is an unusual finding although it has been documented in skin lesions from cats and dogs. It has been associated with contact with pigeon droppings. Although a typical presentation, a definitive diagnosis may require additional testing e.g. Immunostaining or fungal culture.

Emma Dewhurst
MA VetMB, DipRCPath, MRCVS.
Veterinary Clinical Pathologist
emma.dewhurst@axiomvetlab.co.uk

Our team of cytologists have another interesting find to highlight; Emma Dewhurst identified
Cryptococcus neoformans on a fine needle aspirate from a soft tissue swelling on the nose of a cat.
Cryptococcus neoformans, a yeast, is an unusual finding although it has been documented in skin lesions from cats and dogs. It has been associated with contact with pigeon droppings. Although a typical presentation, a definitive diagnosis may require additional testing e.g. Immunostaining or fungal culture.

The success of the London / South Eastern facility continues. With many practices now choosing to use "The Quality Clinical Pathology Service" thanks to our superb quality and service levels. Those practices that have switched from other services have found the quality, speed and cost effectiveness that choosing Axiom brings to them has reinforced that they were right in switching clin-path service.

We are now concentrating on phase two of our South Eastern expansion and will begin to be able to offer our London / South Eastern service to clients further outside the M25 corridor. This expansion in our service is to allow clients to benefit from our emergency service of offering same day results on biochemistry and haematology testing options.

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For those practices in the North West that post submissions to Devon, don't forget our satellite facility in St Helens. This facility, which is based at Rutland House, offers emergency biochemistry and haematology testing options (same day results), with other testing options being couriered overnight to Devon.

If you want to discuss how to utilise the Axiom St Helens service then please call our St Helens Laboratory Manager, Beverley Martin on 01744 730606

Axiom had a presence at the University Veterinary Hospital Conference in Dublin, on the 26th August 2005. Simon Wooton, who is the marketing co-ordinator for Axiom manned a stand supporting our significant Irish clientele.

Improved Service Option

We are also in the process of producing some Ireland specific P650 packaging, this packaging combined with an upgrading to An Post's Swiftpost Service should see submissions reaching Dublin more quickly than at present which I am sure you'll agree is a benefit.

The Swiftpost service offer tracking of your submissions provided the submission is taken to a local Post Office. The service also guarantees next day delivery if you have proof of posting and it doesn't we believe you are able to claim compensation! To quote An Post's website, “Swiftpost National is an express post service from An Post, offering a reliable, fast and cheaper alternative to other couriers. We offer a guaranteed promise to deliver your letters and packages, on time, every time. If we do not deliver your letter or package on time, we'll give you double your fee back.”

As you are well aware Axiom pioneered some P650 packaging and the design of both small and large boxes have been successfully registered with the Patent Office. This means they cannot be copied or used by other laboratories without permission. Regrettably some competitors do not take their obligations as seriously, depending on packaging materials supplied by others! 

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