Pathology is the study of the nature of disease and the changes in structure and function brought about by disease.
The purpose of the directorate is:
'To provide a timely, high quality, cost-effective and responsive pathology service to meet the needs of doctors and their patients.'
The directorate provides a comprehensive analytical service for the doctors, nurses and patients of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre boroughs. The laboratory is extremely busy performing in excess of five million tests each year.