INTERNATIONAL
EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT SCHEMES
W H O Collaborating Centre For Research & Reference
Services In Clinical Chemistry
Birmingham Quality [formerly Wolfson EQA Laboratory], Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre,
Birmingham, U K
Director: Dr David Bullock; Deputy Directors:
Finlay MacKenzie, Dr Jonathan Middle; Operations Manager: Jeremy Davies
WHO Collaborating Centre terms of reference (May 2000)
Terms of reference, Wolfson EQA Laboratory, Birmingham, UK
To organise, co-ordinate and perform collaborative research in quality assurance and the
development of procedures, reference materials and methods for laboratory diagnosis in
clinical chemistry in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.
To promote appropriate and effective quality assurance in health laboratories, to assist
and advise on the evaluation of diagnostic materials and procedures (including those
intended for decentralised application; 'rapid diagnostic testing'), and to participate in
the training of health laboratory staff.
To assist in the establishment of national external quality assessment (EQA) programmes
and the strengthening of quality assurance systems in countries within any Region.
Workplan under the terms of reference
- Organising and operating the International EQA Scheme in Clinical
Chemistry (IEQAS), by sending samples to participants for appropriate investigations,
analysing their results, informing them of their performance and advising them on how to
improve performance including resolution of technical problems revealed through their
participation in the Scheme.
- Providing facilities in the Collaborating Centre for trainees recommended and/or
selected by WHO, and organising and contributing to courses, workshops and consultations
within the Collaborating Centre or within a Region.
- Providing guidance and technical assistance to IEQAS participants and others who are
starting a National or Regional scheme, including advice and help in organising workshops
to launch and report on the scheme, data processing systems, supplying limited quantities
of reference materials with assigned values as survey material.
- Promoting effective and appropriate use of quality assurance techniques, particularly
EQA, in developing and developed countries through co-operation with relevant
non-governmental organisations.
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Mailing address: Birmingham Quality, PO Box 3909,
BIRMINGHAM B15 2UE, U K
FAX: +44 121 414 1179; email: clinchem@ieqas.org.uk;
phone: +44 121 414 7300
This page maintained by Dr David Bullock (clinchem@ieqas.org.uk)
Last modified 25 July 2008