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5 February 2015

Integrated Pathology Partnerships selects CliniSys to be its partner to deliver an innovative pathology service model in South Essex

In early 2014, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust selected Integrated Pathology Partnerships (iPP) to form a joint venture to deliver their combined, integrated pathology service. The new service which started on October 1, 2014 is called Pathology First and will ensure that pathology services remain local to the community, the hospital trusts and GPs, ensuring a timely and efficient service for patients.

CliniSys was selected by iPP as their WinPath LIMS partner to provide the joint venture with the right level of flexibility and customisation to achieve the data connectivity and integration goals. The CliniSys solution will also allow the service to perform advanced sample tracking from collection to delivery of test results.

This is the second such partnership between iPP and CliniSys having successfully delivered a state-of-the-art laboratory and transformed pathology service at Taunton and Yeovil hospitals in Somerset.

Many NHS Trusts are under significant pressure to maintain and improve the quality of their pathology services and to achieve savings without compromising quality. This was the challenge facing both of the Trusts in Essex. With the need to invest in their facilities and the need to modernise and respond to the latest developments in pathology, the collaboration with iPP will deliver investment in new state-of-the-art equipment and processes, improving quality for patients.  A new central hub laboratory is in the process of being built (due for completion autumn 2015 and operational in early 2016), which will perform high volume highly automated testing, consolidated screening services and specialist services from GPs and outpatient services. In addition, two 24/7 rapid response laboratories, one on each hospital site, will be designed to cover essential tests for patients in A&E, and acute wards.

To link its hub and spoke model, iPP is investing in a new and integrated laboratory information system for all areas of pathology and has appointed CliniSys to deliver their market leading WinPath Enterprise LIMS. This single pathology solution and central LIMS database will ensure full access to all patient data across all laboratory locations no matter where the tests are performed. As patients move between Basildon and Southend Hospitals for treatment, having the ability to view test results from all laboratory locations is doubly beneficial to clinicians and consultants.

The advanced data mining functionality inherent within the CliniSys solution provides additional value to the joint venture though the capability of producing tailored reports on test usage, costs, benchmarks etc. This additional functionality is very useful to GPs and commissioners in terms of demand management and understanding test ordering patterns.

The iPP and CliniSys solution will deliver the necessary platform and infrastructure to ensure that the required levels of availability, scalability, flexibility and business agility are supplied; essential in the modern healthcare environment where pathology services need to evolve and adapt to incorporate new services and laboratories.  

Deborah Packwood, Operations Director for Pathology First said: “The laboratory information system is the vital component to achieve the project transformation aims; to have an integrated, high quality pathology service that maximises innovation, technology while driving efficiency and effectiveness. CliniSys’ proven credentials in delivering a multi-site solution with the ability to provide the necessary levels of functionality and flexibility to all aspects of the service gives us confidence in the project ahead.”

Fiona Pearson, CliniSys Chief Executive Officer said: “A modern and forward thinking service demands an equally modern and highly capable IT solution in support of next generation pathology service delivery. All the pathology partners in this project will benefit from increased efficiency and flexibility brought about by the WinPath laboratory information system and the full CliniSys product suite.”