The professionally led GM Pathology (Laboratory Medicine) Network has been asked, on behalf of the Association of GM PCTs and Acute Trusts, to evaluate the implications of the Carter and Darzi reviews and define the range of options for medium and longer term strategic direction for GM Pathology Services.

This process will explore the set of challenges and options for each Laboratory discipline and pathology services as a whole to continue to drive quality improvements and secure future service developments. This feasibility study will provide advice for PCT and Trust Chief Executives on how to achieve the following aspirational objectives:

• Achieve efficiency savings of 20%
• Measure and improve quality by 20%
• Sustain on-site presence of necessary personnel and services in each Trust
• Ensure sustainability of future pathology services across Greater Manchester.

The Network recognises that measuring improvement in quality as a percentage may not be appropriate but as part of the piece of work it will aim to develop a set of measures that can assess quality and therefore have the ability to demonstrate quality improvement across the laboratories.

The NHS is likely to face significant financial pressure over the next few years, and all parts of the NHS will need to develop plans to respond to this.  The Network aims to draw up its own plans over the next 12 months.  This is an ambitious programme, but is a serious opportunity for the pathology community to maintain control of its own destiny within the current financial and tendering pressures.

The Network is keen to involve all staff working in laboratory services in the conurbation in developing the vision for the future.  Please find below details of the meetings and events taking place in 2009.   Please contact your local Trust representative if you would like to raise any issues at or receive feedback from these meetings.  Alternatively, you can post a message on this website, by logging in and using the 'add comment' button at the bottom of the page.

Dates for your diaries:

One Central Park, Northampton Road, Manchester M40 5BP - Get directions

*Conference on what pathology can do for primary care including workshops on:

·         Phlebotomy

·         Demand management/Appropriate Testing

·         Point of Care Testing

·         Transport

·         IT Links