Transforming pathology services across Lancashire and South Cumbria

We have an exciting opportunity to transform pathology services working in partnership with four NHS acute trusts to ensure that our pathology services remains at the forefront of diagnostics to the benefit of all staff, clinicians, GPs and patients.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Pathology Collaboration is developing models for pathology services. One of the models includes a new Pathology Hub, however it is important that each hospital site will continue to have emergency pathology services within the hospital site. 

A robust and transparent process was put in place for choosing a location for a Pathology Hub, and Leyland, near Centurion Way, was endorsed as the preferred clinical option.  An independent review of available sites in Leyland and the wider South Ribble area was undertaken by NHS Improvement in April 2021 and this identified that the Enterprise Zone site in Samlesbury is the most suitable location for the Hub.  This was endorsed by the Pathology Collaboration Board on 28 May 2021.   

The Pathology Hub will provide a purpose-built environment bringing together highly qualified clinical and scientific staff from across the network who will drive adoption of new technology, maximise future investment and increase our ability to continue providing a high quality pathology service.

Mark Hindle, Managing Director for the pathology collaboration across Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

“Transforming pathology services across Lancashire and South Cumbria is an exciting opportunity for our area working in partnership with NHS Trusts to ensure that our pathology services remains at the forefront of diagnostics to the benefit of all staff, clinicians and patients.

The collaboration are developing models for pathology services and one of these is to develop a new Pathology Hub, however it is important that each hospital site will continue to have emergency pathology services within the hospital site.”

The Outline Business Case was submitted to NHS England and NHS Improvement in March 2021.  The programme awaits approval before it can proceed to the next stage of developing the full business case for the future delivery model.