This is an edited version of an article first published on the HCI Group web site in 2017. Digital pathology is now widely accepted as an essential part of the future for histopathology departments. The technology has improved massively in recent years, and advances in computational pathology are also coming to market, with advances in artificial intelligence applications not far behind. Both technologies rely on moving histopathology to digital imaging. With the forecast shortfall in consultant histopathologist numbers in five years[i] and ever increasing workloads, it is difficult to justify leaving consultant histopathologists with inefficient workflows that waste their time looking for slides, matching slides with previous samples and sending slides through the postal system and via couriers for second and third opinions.
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The recent proposal for NHS pathology laboratories in England to consolidate into 29 networks has renewed interest in partnership options for pathology laboratories. This ebook, available for free download, provides guidance and tips on how to proceed, based on experience.
No personal data will be collected and nobody will contact you. Simply pay with a tweet, or LinkedIn share. Below is an interesting article available to download on NHS / private pathology partnerships, with a contribution from Magrath Consulting. The article was written by freelance journalist Ann McGauran and first published in the December 2016 / January 2017 LangBuisson journal, Healthcare Markets. It is reproduced here with permission.
The recent letter from NHS Improvement (NHSI) left Trusts in no doubt about the regulator’s expectations for pathology consolidation as part of a series of measures aimed at restoring financial control. All trusts were asked to send a two-page note for pathology services for their sustainability and transformation (STP) footprint to NHSI by 31 July 2016, setting out:
Six years on from Lord Carter's second phase review and pathology consolidation is starting to pick up pace in the UK. During 2015 we have seen a growing number of enquiries about how to consolidate pathology and what model offers the greatest potential. My previous blog, available here, gives advice on this. Below is an infographic file available for download that plots the main developments since Lord Carter's second phase review of pathology in England and Wales. I have posted an article on Linkedin that provides commentary on this.
The future of pathology services has been a hot topic since the Carter reviews of 2006 and 2008. Modern pathology technology breaks down the traditional demarcations between laboratory disciplines and allows for automation of pre and post analytical processes, but this kind of modern technology requires large scale pathology operations serving more than one hospital and its local GPs. Pathology consolidation has happened across large parts of Europe and in some other continents, leading to some large pathology organisations with state of the art automation, significant purchasing power and expertise. There are now signs that the UK is starting to follow this path. Having recently set up a pathology joint venture in Essex involving two NHS Foundation Trusts and a private sector pathology provider, here are my top tips and issues to consider for anyone thinking of outsourcing pathology or setting up a joint venture. |
Mark Magrath MBAI am a management consultant with 12 years experience as an executive director in an NHS Foundation Trust, including 10 years as Deputy Chief Executive. I only write blogs on projects and assignments that I have personally led. My aim is to write amazing content that combines real world experience with insightful advice. Categories
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