Clinical Pathology Review
Introduction
Welcome to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's
web page on the review of clinical pathology laboratory services.
On 13 December 2007, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced the
final recommendations for the future of hospital laboratory services in Northern Ireland.
The recommendations include:
- Enrolment of all pathology services with CPA (UK) Ltd accreditation scheme
- Regular audit and benchmarking of pathology services
- Development of a managed clinical network for pathology
- Reconfiguration of pathology services across Northern Ireland to provide high quality, sustainable services.
Background
In December 2003 the then Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell,
commissioned a review of pathology services in Northern Ireland. The review aimed to provide the Department
with a strategic plan for strengthening and developing effective, high quality, clinical pathology laboratory
services, responsive to the needs of the patients and users. It was to take account of the work in progress
both locally and nationally, including North/South dimensions, and the recommendations of Public Accounts
Committee Report on Laboratory Pathology Services.
The report of the review, entitled The Future of Pathology Services
in Northern Ireland can be found below. The report sets out proposals for a model of pathology services
that ensure that hospital laboratories in Northern Ireland will be sustainable in future and provide
quality services that are formally accredited.
The
Department issued the document on 28 November 2006 for 3-month public consultation. A summary
of the consultation responses can be found below.
On 18 June
2007, the Department held a workshop to consider some of the key issues which had been raised by consultation
respondents. A report of the workshop can be found below.
