Landmark deal secures premium pathology services in the Garden of England

In a landmark deal with Roche, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has opted for a fully automated Managed Laboratory Service (MLS) solution that will enable it to provide an excellent, patient-focused pathology service while meeting demands for greater cost effectiveness. Under the terms of the MLS agreement, Roche will provide everything the trust needs (ie enabling instrumentation, service and maintenance, consumables and equipment/software updates) to deliver its analytical requirements in chemistry, haematology, immunoassay and coagulation testing services, as well as making substantial savings for the trust over the duration of the contract.

Reconfigured and streamlined
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust chief executive Glenn Douglas said, “Our pathology department serves hospitals and the primary care sector across Kent and Sussex. Over 150 GP practices send samples to us for diagnosis. This new MLS agreement with Roche provides everything we need in a single package to provide a first-rate service with no waste of precious resources. We will be able to treat more patients, with improved outcomes and at lower cost. It will bring major benefits to our patients and save at least £2.5 million over the seven-year contract.”

Processing around 5000 blood samples every day, the new equipment supplied under the Roche MLS will allow the pathology department to reconfigure and streamline its services to benefit staff and patients “The new MSC will provide the opportunity for unprecedented change as our pathology and laboratory medicine services seek to modernise in line with new technology, patient-focused care, evidence-based practice and the demand for greater cost effectiveness,” commented pathology general manager Nigel Leftley.