Longstanding partnership: foundation for European flagship laboratory facility

It has established a longstanding partnership with Beckman Coulter UK, part of one of the world’s leading diagnostics companies. Four years ago, the company became the trust’s sole supplier when haematology expertise was added to the core laboratory. This collaboration culminated recently in the opening of an integrated blood sciences unit last November. The new laboratory is one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe, offering the clinical teams faster and more accurate results through a streamlined, contamination-free testing process.

Trust and integrity
As Dr James Hooper, divisional director for laboratory medicine at the trust, said: “The relationship with Beckman Coulter is based on trust and integrity, being able to draw on our different strengths. We work together as members of a team, delivering what is most beneficial for patients. Approached in this way, it provides an excellent template for how a private-public partnership can succeed.”

The trust will benefit from having the stability of a five-year agreement, with access to new Beckman Coulter systems as they are released. The company is also making specific equipment available to the laboratory which helps to streamline services to patients. In turn, Beckman Coulter will benefit in being able to use the laboratory as a European demonstration site. As is the case with all its clients, Beckman Coulter provides an extensive after-sales support service to the laboratory, including a technical support line and regular maintenance cover. As well as the monthly call-off to check reagent levels, Beckman Coulter is able to provide a flexible supply of a specific reagent to meet changing needs.