- Telephone: 0141 242 9633
- Email: ggc.glasgowsmrl@nhs.scot
The Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory (SMRSARL) was established in April 1997. We were created in response to a rapid increase in the number of MRSA infections identified in hospitals across Scotland. We are commissioned by National Services Division for Scotland, with clinical and scientific advice from Public Health Scotland (PHS) . Since November 2013, the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory has been located within the New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The SMRSARL provides a national MRSA reference service for isolates from diagnostic laboratories throughout Scotland. The services we provide include: confirmation of MRSA status, detection of various toxin genes and epidemiological typing of strains. We also provide advice on infection control issues and have an ongoing research and development program. We collaborate with PHS to provide data on the national trends in MRSA epidemiology in Scotland.
The Scottish Government have provided funding for an Enterococcal Surveillance Service aiming to describe the genetic epidemiology of invasive E. faecium and resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis in Scotland. Scotland has a high prevalence of vancomycin resistance amongst invasive E. faecium isolates. To investigate the reasons for this, Boards are kindly requested to submit isolates as described in the above communications. Limited outbreak support continues to be available and it is hoped that an improved understanding of the background epidemiology will allow improved outbreak support in future. For investigation of cluster/outbreak isolates please contact SMiRL (Glasgow) to discuss prior to sending.