Pathology Configuration

Pathology Modernisation

The Need: With NHS resources under ever increasing scrutiny, the national QIPP Pathology programme has taken on great urgency. Studies of pathology to-date have identified a potential to achieve far higher value to healthcare, at significantly lower cost. Pathology services account for four per cent of total NHS expenditure, and around 70% of patient journeys access pathology services at some point.  Pathology is a strategic enabler for higher quality NHS services and better patient outcomes need pathology to be delivered very differently to produce the higher value at lower cost.

The Imperative: Modernisation and reconfiguration of pathology services are believed to be able to save 20% of current cost, equal to £500M per year across England - while raising quality. This translates, on the average, to £3M per major pathology providing NHS Trust.

Pathology and Medical Mosaic

A leading associate of the pathology modernisation programme, Medical Mosaic has helped formulate, engage and implement change at every level.  This allows us to offer a joined-up and fully informed view which, taken together with awareness of the wide range of the practical perspectives around the country, allows us to offer considerable value to our clients.

  • NATIONALLY: developed and road-tested new policy on commissioning pathology, aligned with the transition of commissioning.  We have also developed policy in areas such as Point-of-Care Testing accreditation, patients access to test results and information technology.
  • REGIONALLY: scoped and planned pathology programmes for an SHA, scaling the opportunities for productivity improvement, analysing the level of attainable financial improvement and developing clinically-based principles of redesign and market testing. 
  • LOCALLY: helped Trusts to implement major business change in pathology services, on a shared risk/reward basis.  We have also coordinated the reconfiguration and strategic direction for a mature and large inter-Trust Pathology Network.

 

Levers for Change