A report on hospital laboratory services was published for public consultation last November. Today’s announcement includes amendments to a number of the recommendations in light of representations made to the Department during the consultation process.
Key recommendations include:
- All acute hospitals will have 24 hour biochemistry and haematology services,
- Microbiology will be provided on a 24 hour basis in Altnagelvin and Belfast,
- Histopathology and cytopathology services will continue to be provided in Belfast, Antrim, Craigavon and Altnagelvin pending a further review of these specialties in three years’ time.
The Minister said: “Hospital laboratory services play a critical role in ensuring patients receive the best possible care. Often the work done by the 1,000 staff working in our laboratory services is invisible to patients but without their skill and expertise, the health service would be unable to deliver the quality of care and treatment that we all expect.”
Around three quarters of all diagnoses in hospital depend on the availability of pathology tests. Many thousands of tests are also conducted each month for General Practitioners.
He said: “It is clear that demand for laboratory services is increasing as is the demand for pathologists to contribute more directly in patient care.
“Any proposal to reconfigure hospital services rightly provokes a high degree of public and professional interest. In making judgements on the best way forward for our health services, we must consider how best to address the needs of patients and how to develop services for the benefit of the entire healthcare system.
“I have considered all of the issues raised in response to the public consultation conducted earlier this year. This is a complex area; our laboratories provide a number of distinct services and I have taken time to consider the particular needs of each specialty. I want to ensure sustainable, high quality and fully accredited laboratory services that will provide the best possible services for patients. I also want to see Trusts make the best possible use of the resources available to them.
“In light of the responses received to the consultation paper, I have decided to amend a number of the review team’s recommendations.”
Amongst the recommendations announced today, the Minister has confirmed that hospital laboratories must achieve nationally recognised accreditation standards to ensure the quality of services provided to patients.
In addition, all acute hospitals will have 24 hour biochemistry and haematology services. Microbiology will be provided on a 24 hour basis in Altnagelvin and Belfast. Elsewhere, Trusts must ensure microbiology services are sufficient to meet anticipated clinical demands. Histopathology and cytopathology services will continue to be provided in Belfast, Antrim, Craigavon and Altnagelvin pending a further review of these specialties in three years’ time.
The Minister added: “I want to thank Dame Ingrid Allen and all the members of the pathology review group for their hard work and the clarity their report brought to some very complex issues. I also want to place on record how highly I value the contribution to good medical care made by all of the staff working in our hospital laboratories.”
Notes to Editors:
- A comprehensive report on hospital laboratory services containing 23 recommendations aimed at improving the quality of services across Northern Ireland was published for public consultation last November. Today’s announcement includes amendments to a number of the recommendations in light of representations made to the Department during the consultation process.
- The impact of the recommendations on hospital laboratories in individual HSC Trust areas is as follows:
Belfast HSC Trust
One single laboratory service is recommended for Belfast, operating on a 24/7 basis and providing clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion, microbiology, histopathology, cytopathology and the regional pathology services. Essential diagnostic facilities to support specific clinical needs will be provided at other locations.
Northern HSC Trust
Antrim Area Hospital laboratory will provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services. The Northern HSC Trust will determine the appropriate level of microbiology provision at Antrim to meet clinical demand. In view of emerging developments and changing needs in histopathology and cytopathology, these services will continue to be provided at Antrim, with the position being reviewed in three years’ time. Causeway Hospital laboratory will provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services.
South Eastern HSC Trust
The Ulster Hospital laboratory will provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services. The South Eastern HSC Trust will determine the appropriate level of microbiology provision to meet clinical demand.
Southern HSC Trust
Craigavon Area Hospital laboratory will provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services. The Southern HSC Trust will determine the appropriate level of microbiology provision at Craigavon to meet clinical demand. In view of emerging developments and changing needs in histopathology and cytopathology, these services will continue to be provided at Craigavon, with the position being reviewed in three years’ time. Daisy Hill Hospital laboratory will continue to provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services.
Western HSC Trust
Pathology services at Altnagelvin Area Hospital laboratory will remain unchanged. The hospital will continue to provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion, microbiology, histopathology and cytopathology services. The Erne Hospital laboratory, and the new hospital in the South West when it is completed, will provide 24/7 clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services. Laboratory services at Tyrone County Hospital will remain.
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