South West London Pathology (SWLP) has celebrated the installation of new cutting-edge technology from Beckman Coulter at its Essential Services Laboratory at Croydon Hospital, creating one of the most modern, innovative, and efficient clinical blood science services in the country.
The installation of the analysers and automated tracking at Croydon is the first step of the rollout of new blood sciences services at all SWLP sites across the network - covering clinical chemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, and pre-analytical automation - in collaboration with global leader in clinical diagnostics Beckman Coulter.
The new laboratories will deliver unified clinical blood science services, ensuring a wide range of medical services and diagnostic tests, enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in south London. The SWLP network consists of five laboratories, which – when fully updated - will perform over 30,000 daily tests when operating at full capacity, allowing for faster test result turnaround times and improved patient outcomes
SWLP is an NHS pathology partnership providing a wide range of services to a large population of over 3.5 million people across South West London, made up of five hospital sites: St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom Hospital, and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, to provide a single, integrated pathology service across South West London and beyond. It offers a wide range of diagnostic and clinical support services to these five hospitals, 450 GPs across London and surrounding areas, and other NHS institutions and private organisations.
Simon Brewer, SWLP Managing Director, says: “The successful introduction of the Beckman Coulter analysers at Croydon Hospital marks our first step towards an exciting new future for our clinical blood science services. As we continue to introduce new analysers across our network, we will be able to push the boundaries of diagnostic services in this area. I am confident that our partnership with Beckman Coulter will allow us to become a leading blood sciences service.”
Rob Young, UK General Manager for Beckman Coulter, added: “We are proud to provide Croydon with critical laboratory equipment which utilises the newest technologies and performs in line with the world's most advanced laboratories. By enhancing the capabilities of the laboratory staff, we are enabling them to not only increase the volume of tests but also to improve the quality of the results they provide to the clinical community. Our fundamental mission is to improve the operation of the laboratory, allowing the Croydon Health Services team to focus on safeguarding and improving patient health across the community."
Pictured above are: (left to right) Rob Young, UK General Manager for Beckman Coulter; Matthew Kershaw, chief executive of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust; and Simon Brewer, SWLP Managing Director.