Pathology networks in numbers

£50M FOR DIGITAL PATHOLOGY

5EXEMPLAR ATTRIBUTES

The Department of Health and Social Care has recently announced that it is to invest £50m in digital pathology and imaging. NHS England and NHS Improvement are working towards the creation of 29 hub and spoke networks, as analysis showed there is unwarranted variation in how NHS pathology services are delivered. networks29

In 2018 specialist trusts were asked to work with designated local networks and consider the wider opportunity for working nationally.

Several attributes of exemplar specialist services were identified: 1 Clinically specialist pathways 2 Academic interest and

innovation programmes 3 Scientific expertise, education and advanced roles 4 Use of “gold standard”

equipment and methodologies 5 Highly specialised clinical advisory service and link between clinical teams

97% MAKING PROGRESS

Over 97% of trusts in England are making some progress towards networking their pathology services, it has been reported.

tools A range of support tools and toolkits, including documents on due diligence and governance models and advice on clinical and corporate structures, have been created to help with network consolidation. These are available on the NHS Improvement Hub1 and include: 8

1 Business case template 2 Due diligence guide 3 Operational governance guide 4 Consolidation framework 5 Essential services laboratory design 6 Blood sciences 7 Legal watchpoints guide 8 Clinical governance toolkit.

More are expected in the coming months, including microbiology and histopathology essential services guidance.

drop in cost It is claimed networks that have completed the transition from a single-site operation to a networked model have seen the average cost per test drop by 20%. 20%

Some trusts developing their networked approach have already agreed contractual savings of £18m over fi ve years by buying equipment jointly, at scale. £18m SAVINGS

£167m AVERAGE PRICE SAVINGS Since networking started, the average price per test in England has fallen from £1.95 to £1.81. This equates to a saving of £167m.

2021 DEADLINE NHS England and NHS Improvement report that they are on track to deliver the 29 pathology networks across England by the target date of 2021.