Patients will be able to get their blood test results on the same day thanks to an innovative new laboratory which is set to be officially unveiled today.

The laboratory, which is part of the blood test facility at the Hamilton Medical Center based in Victoria Street, will host a doctor's open evening tonight and then open its doors to the public on Saturday to mark National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.

Members of the public will also have the chance to get their weight measured and blood pressure and cholesterol levels read on Saturday.

The Royal Gazette was given an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the new facility, which includes a laboratory run by two qualified laboratory technicians, who carry out blood tests and body fluid analysis.

The state-of-the-art laboratory contains a Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Vitros 5.1 machine which uses a barcode system to run tests and send the results, with a turnaround time of two to three hours.

Other equipment includes a J&J Vitros ECIQ which carries out immuno-based analysis such as tests on the prostate and thyroid glands and for diseases like Hepatitis, while the Beckman Coulter LH500 measures white and red blood cells and haemoglobin counts.

Just outside the laboratory is a blood-taking booth where patients can get their samples done on the spot. The facility is conveniently located just behind the City Hall car park and is open from Monday to Friday between 6.45 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ease of use by patients. There is also a full-time Portuguese translator on site to assist and the centre is in the process of getting fully accredited to international standards. Meanwhile, patients can use their insurance to pay for the service and all they need is a blood requisition from their doctor, without having to make an appointment to be seen.

Dr. J.J. Soares, who runs the centre, did his pre-clinical medical training in Oxford, England and his clinical training at Guys & St. Thomas in London, England prior to returning to his homeland in Bermuda in 1999, and went on to work at the Woodbourne Hall practice, before taking over from Dr. Eugene Harvey, and then setting up at Hamilton Medical Centre at the end of last year.

"This centre is the first of its kind in Bermuda really," he said.

"What we are looking to do is to offer a combination of convenience, as well accurate and quality results.

"I would like to see this blood testing service as complementary to what is done at the hospital, and we even send blood tests to the hospital.

"I think people who are going to be interested in it are those who work or shop in Hamilton."

The medical centre, which was three years in the planning and built inside three months, also houses Dr. Soares' practice, complete with a walk-in TCD physical examination booth, a consultation room and doctor's office. His practice is only taking new arrivals to the Island.

The medical centre's website is currently under construction at www.hamiltonmedicalcenter.bm

The opening evening will be held today between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. and the open day will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about the new blood test centre e-mail rm@hmc.bm.