Innovation in pathology: from concept to realisation

For nearly a decade, bringing modernisation and innovation to the UK’s pathology services has been at the top of the agenda at North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT). Believing that modernisation means more than tweaks to workforce planning, the trust’s pathology department has developed innovative practices and adopted working partnerships that have contributed to the inception of Severn Pathology – a unique collaboration that will transform pathology services in the South West, delivering and anticipating the needs of clinicians and patients, and provide a template for others to follow.

“At North Bristol NHS Trust we believed we were in a good position to lead regeneration of pathology in the South West based on the benefits we had realised since entering into a partnership with Roche via an Optimall Managed Pathology Service agreement in 2009,” said Jamie Methuen, Commercial Lead, Severn Pathology. “The south west of England has diverse geography and population densities that have led to pathology services being established at different times, at multiple sites, throughout the region. Inevitably, this has resulted in differing levels of service. Not all pathology specialties are represented at each site (in some cases resulting in over- or under-capacity); and some laboratories are located in unsuitable premises. In response to the Bristol Histopathology review, the Bristol Healthy Futures Group initiated a pathology modernisation programme in the region. At the same time, the second report from Lord Carter into the provision of pathology services added weight to the drive for modernisation. Since implementing the Optimall service we have realised operational efficiencies and financial savings. Moreover, we know that we have an increased flexibility to respond to the changing needs of our local health economy,” Methuen continued.

“We are also securing the future of an NHS-owned pathology service which is more cost effective, thus making savings available for reinvestment across the entire health economy. We are confident that our performance data are robust, accurate and available when required. To our Trust Board it substantiates the value of the pathology services that we deliver to our clinicians and patients, and has been extremely useful in the development of Severn Pathology,” said David Gibbs, Pathology Services Manager at Severn Pathology.