UK NEQAS for Clinical Cytogenetics (CCNEQAS) was initially established in 1982 by the Association for Clinical Cytogeneticists (ACC) to fulfil the growing need for external quality assessment in clinical cytogenetic laboratories.
In 1983 the Scheme became affiliated to UK NEQAS (UK National External Quality Assessment Schemes) and was recognised by the UK NEQAS Executive as an External Quality Assessment Scheme in Clinical Cytogenetics. UK NEQAS is an 'umbrella' organisation that has developed to provide a multidisciplinary network of educational quality assessment schemes across the range of pathology disciplines. The CCNEQAS Scheme is self-financing and non-profit making and independent from the discipline's professional body (ACC) although close links are maintained.
External Quality Assessment (EQA) is primarily an educational tool to help laboratories assess their analytical and interpretative performance and, where applicable, improve their quality management system.
CCNEQAS gives laboratories access to online materials such as images for analysis and case scenarios for reporting, invites them to submit previously reported cases online or sends out wet samples for some EQAs. Laboratories’ submissions are assessed by a panel of expert assessors and the results communicated to the participants via an online individual laboratory report (ILR) as well as a summary letter.
Any performance below the required standard (unsatisfactory/poor) is recorded and confirmed by the Steering Committee. Repeated poor performance in the UK and non-UK will be referred to NQAAP (National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel) and the Steering Committee respectively.
An appeals process is in place for any laboratories that disagrees with the marking of their EQA submission. Appeals are reviewed by the Steering Committee and the Committee will notify the laboratory via the Scheme Organiser with its final decision.
For dates and EQAs offered in the forthcoming EQA round, please see the current EQA timetable. Registered laboratories will be notified by e-mail once a new timetable is available.
The scheme is accredited with CPA (UK) Ltd, reference number 086.