Trusts making savings from lab networking strategy
In an update on the pathology network strategy, the oversight body said the £33.6m in pathology cost improvements – self-reported by trusts – was thought to be an underestimate of the total in-year efficiency gain.
The strategy aims to create 29 regional hubs by linking pathology departments in 122 acute and specialist NHS hospitals, after analysis showed unwarranted variation in the delivery of these services because of how they were organised. Urgent lab work will still be offered from hospitals. 
Launching the strategy a year ago, NHS Improvement said the new system could release £200m by 2020/21, though more advanced networks have found that greater savings are possible.
The report said more than 80% of trusts were making progress on networking pathology. However, NHS Improvement called for a faster pace of change.
Its executive director of operational productivity, Jeremy Marlow (pictured), said: ‘Work to transform NHS pathology services is making excellent progress. However, there is still much to be done by hospitals to ensure the benefits for patients and the NHS are secured.’Related content
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