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UK SMI Consultations

Open consultations

New consultation open for UK SMI S 16: Postmortem Microbiology

This consultation is open from 23/06/2026 to 14/07/2026

We are pleased to invite stakeholders, laboratory professionals, clinicians, and all interested parties to participate in the public consultation for UK SMI S 16: Postmortem Microbiology.

This is a newly developed UK Standard for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMI), representing the first standard dedicated specifically to postmortem microbiology within the UK SMI framework. Its development reflects growing recognition of the clinical, public health, and forensic importance of postmortem microbiological investigations, and the need for consistent, high-quality guidance in this area.

Given its novelty and evolving nature, this document is necessarily an initial framework. Its strength and future development depend on input from those working across pathology, microbiology, coronial services, and related disciplines.

We are therefore actively seeking broad and constructive feedback to help shape and refine this standard. Your input is essential to ensuring the document is:

  • Fit for purpose across a diverse range of clinical and operational settings
  • Scientifically robust and practically applicable
  • Reflective of real-world challenges and emerging practice

We particularly welcome feedback on:

  • The overall scope and relevance of the guidance
  • Areas requiring further detail, clarification, or supporting evidence
  • Any omissions or emerging topics that should be addressed

As this is the first edition, your contributions will play a vital role in shaping how postmortem microbiology is standardised and delivered across the UK.

To contribute to the consultation, we kindly request that all feedback be submitted through our dedicated survey form using the following link:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/uVVDT1hcXy

If you encounter difficulties accessing the online survey, kindly contact the Standards Unit at [email protected].

 

Closed consultations

Our closed consultations are arranged by year and sorted by their area

UK SMI Consultations: Identification

UK SMI ID 01: Introduction to the preliminary identification of medically important bacteria and fungi from culture

UK SMI ID 04: Identification of Streptococcus species, Enterococcus species and morphologically similar organisms

UK SMI ID 06: identification of Neisseria species

UK SMI ID 07: Identification of Staphylococcus species, Micrococcus species and Rothia species

UK SMI ID 11: Identification of Moraxella species and morphologically similar organisms

UK SMI ID 12: Identification of Haemophilus species and the HACEK group of organisms

UK SMI ID 15: identification of Actinomyces and reclassified species

UK SMI ID 17: Identification of Pseudomonas species and other non-glucose fermenters

UK SMI Consultations: Syndromic

UK SMI S 13: painful and/or discharging ear

UK SMI S 06: Infectious syndromes affecting the genitourinary tract and reproductive organs

UK SMI Consultations: Virology

UK SMI V 4: Laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus

UK SMI V 5: Laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis C virus

UK SMI V 37: Chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection – testing by Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)

UK SMI V 44: Laboratory diagnosis of syphilis

UK SMI V11: HIV screening and confirmation

UK SMI Consultations: Bacteriology

UK SMI B 05: Investigation of nasal and paranasal sinus samples

UK SMI B 10: Investigation of faecal specimens for Clostridioides difficile