NHS announces IT supplier for single digital pathology system across Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
Patients across Cheshire and Merseyside will benefit from quicker test results and improved access to pathology services thanks to the move to a single provider Laboratory Digital System, known as a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
Following a competitive procurement process run by Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostics, a provider has been appointed to help provide the new LIMS solution that will be hosted by Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and used by pathology services in the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network.
Magentus has been selected as the preferred supplier to deliver the £11.5m contract for the single LIMS solution for five pathology laboratories across the Cheshire and Merseyside region and work to implement the system will begin soon.
Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network laboratories utilising the single LIMS solution will be able to safely share test results across the region, regardless of where the original test was carried out which will reduce the need for re-testing. The single LIMS will also allow for more complex tests to be processed quicker, reducing the time it takes for patients to receive their results and begin any required treatment sooner.
The new IT system will securely connect the five pathology laboratories including,
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, part of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The move towards a single pathology IT provider for the region derives from the NHS Long Term Plan which outlines several national initiatives designed to improve the safety and efficiency of our services. The single pathology LIMS aims to improve patient care by driving out any unwarranted variation in services and supporting specialist diagnostics so that services are sustainable and everyone in the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network has equal access to key tests.
The new LIMS will support approximately 2,000 staff in delivering as many as 53m pathology tests every year to our population of 2.7 million people. Pathology diagnostic testing is necessary in 95% of patient journeys and the results provided help healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat illnesses and to monitor their treatment.
Dr Lisa Bailey, Clinical Lead, Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network said:
“The network wide Cheshire and Merseyside LIMS will provide a resilient, future proof system that will allow standardised clinical and working practices across the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network.
“It will improve patient safety by utilising one clinical record and allowing access of patient’s results across the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network to clinicians and laboratory staff. This will reduce unwarranted variation, improve the turnaround time of the tests, reduce repeat testing and support demand management of requesting.
“The clinical, scientific and LIMS implementation team along with Magentus are excited to implement new and innovative ways of working, which the new system will allow.”
Christine Kelly, Programme Director for LIMS, said:
“We are excited to work with Magentus to jointly develop a solution that meets the needs of our local Trusts. There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement from both laboratory staff and Magentus to get the IT solution right. Staff across all Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network labs will be involved in the design and implementation of the new solution. Current lab systems are up to 30 years old and in desperate need of modernisation to meet current standards.
“The new solution will allow tests to be taken anywhere across the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network and the results be available to all of our health care providers within the network. This will prevent the need for any duplicate tests and clinicians will have a full history available of all tests when they are making decisions about a patient’s care.”
Christopher Ladds, CEO Clinical Diagnostics for Magentus, said:
“We are thrilled to support Cheshire and Merseyside in advancing toward a unified pathology service—a critical step aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan. This project demonstrates the pivotal role of technology in driving productivity across the NHS. We are proud to deliver a solution that meets the growing demand for seamless clinical collaboration across diagnostic networks. This initiative by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside sets a new standard for efficiency and equity in healthcare, ensuring a better experience for lab professionals, frontline staff, and patients alike.”
Rachael Powell, Group CEO for Magentus said:
“This is significant engagement for Magentus, aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan’s vision of improving clinical efficiency and safety while ensuring equitable access to diagnostics. Together, we are not only enhancing patient care but also empowering healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver faster, more accurate diagnoses. We look forward to working closely with the local Trusts to build a future where digital technology supports a healthier society, allowing clinicians to focus on what matters most—improving patient outcomes.”