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Response to 'Pathology - the essential service (draft guidance on modernising pathology services)'

  • Launch date:
    20 June 2002
  • Creator/s:
    Department of Health
  • Audience:
    Health and social care professionals
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown
  • Gateway number:
    Not required

On 20 June 2002 we published a consultation paper Pathology - The Essential Service - Draft Guidance on Modernising Pathology Services.

The consultation, proposing future principles, goals and objectives for NHS pathology, ended on 30 September 2002. The paper highlighted pathology's essential role in delivering effective diagnosis and appropriate care under the success of the NHS Plan. The key change proposed was the introduction of managed pathology networks across NHS Trusts as a model of service delivery as part of the NHS modernisation process and to address the workforce and technology challenges facing NHS pathology services.

173 responses were received in response to this consultation. There was wide support for a change in NHS pathology services. In light of the views expressed, the Department plans to hold detailed discussions with stakeholders in January 2003.

Responses to the consultation

We invited 52 organisations to comment on the proposals (listed at Annex A). We received 173 responses:

  • 22 from professional bodies
  • 2 from trades unions
  • 1 from patients'/carers' groups
  • 12 from the private sector
  • 26 from NHS management
  • 6 from statutory bodies
  • 97 from individual pathology staff
  • 3 from universities
  • 4 other.

Key messages from the consultation are:

  • there is a groundswell of support for change in NHS pathology services
  • the focus on delivering high quality, responsive services to clinicians and patients is right
  • there is general support in principle - from the Royal College of Pathologists, the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Association of Clinical Biochemists and Amicus, among others - for developing appropriate networks in pathology
  • pathology networks can provide a wider strategic vision for pathology services
  • an incremental approach to network development is the best way to achieve change without widespread disruption to services
  • the need to support and develop staff is vital
  • support for change and leadership from professional and other bodies is vital if pathology is to be modernised successfully
  • there must be good communication with all those working in laboratories.

Concerns were expressed that:

  • initiatives to modernise pathology services must be linked with other service improvements and national strategies (on hospital re-configuration, human resources and IT in particular)
  • pathology networks should not automatically reflect existing structural boundaries but need to support other clinical networks and patient flows
  • service re-configuration must be shaped by local needs and circumstances - "one size does not fit all"
  • clinical governance issues need to be addressed more fully
  • investment in IT, technology, equipment and staff are key to successful change in pathology services
  • the timetable for implementing change in pathology will be strongly influenced by other national priorities such as the IT strategy, Making the Change - A Strategy for the Professions in Healthcare Science and Getting Ahead of the Curve
  • commitment from NHS Trusts and StHAs will be vital
  • the need for more flexible inter-disciplinary training and working arrangements.

Organisations consulted 

(* those which responded)

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
*Amicus
Association of Carers
*Association of Clinical Biochemists
*Association of Clinical Cytogeneticists
Association of Clinical Microbiologists
*Association of Clinical Pathologists
*Association of Medical Microbiologists
*British Association of Forensic Medicine
Better Blood Transfusion Society
British Blood Transfusion Society
*British In Vitro Devices Association
British Neuropathological Society
British Society for Clinical Cytology
*British Society for Haematology
British Society for Haemostatis and Thrombosis
*British Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
British Society of Immunology
British Society of Toxicological Pathologists
British Toxicological Society
BUPA
*Capio Healthcare
Carers' National Association
Clinical Molecular Genetics Society
Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd
Conference of Clinical Scientists' Organisation
Coroners' Society of England and Wales
*Independent Healthcare Association
British Division of the International Academy of Pathology
*Institute of Biomedical Science
Institute of Healthcare Management
*National Association of Primary Care
*National Blood Authority
*Newchurch
NHS Alliance
*NHS Confederation
Nova Medical
Omnilabs Pathology Services
Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Patients' Association
*Public Health Laboratory Service
*Quest Diagnostics Ltd
Roche Diagnostics
*Royal College of Midwives
Royal College of Nursing
*Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists' Lay Advisory Committee
*Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The Doctors Healthcare Company plc
UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors' Organisation
*UKNEQAS
*Unison

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