Press Release

ACB response to Carter Review

Report of the Review of NHS Pathology Services in England

2 August 2006

The Association welcomes publication of the report of Lord Carter Of Coles’ review of pathology services in England, released today. The report recognises the importance of Pathology Services to the care of patients and provides recommendations to develop an already effective service by enhancing quality and connectivity whilst embracing diversity, plurality and new ways of working.

The Association has long recognised that changes in healthcare in general, and laboratory medicine and clinical science in particular, require streamlined pathology services that are fit for purpose in an evidence-based, patient-centred NHS.  The report provides a clear direction of travel for the reconfiguration of pathology services, which the Association supports. The Association is also supportive of the establishment of twelve pilot projects to inform models for the future organization and delivery of pathology services. The Association’s training and education programmes are already preparing Clinical Biochemists to meet the new challenges envisaged in the report.

The Association is active in both the public and independent sectors and agrees with the need for a truly level playing field where commissioners are looking to widen choice by seeking pathology services from both sectors. It is important that the criteria for commissioning encompass quality, consistency and connectivity as well as cost effectiveness.