TALKS ON the implementation of a controversial report on the reorganisation of hospital laboratory services across the State are to begin this week.
The report, carried out for the HSE by Teamwork consultants, recommends services be reorganised to improve patient care but admits the result will be “far fewer laboratories” and “a smaller technical and support workforce”.
It says “a more cost-effective service” will be provided through the reforms. Some elements will be centralised and “inflexible organisational and working arrangements” will be addressed.
Under the existing system more than 40 hospital laboratories deal with 58 million tests a year. Some 3,000 staff work in the sector.
The HSE only published the report on its website in recent days, alongside a statement outlining what the next steps will be.
“The HSE will now commence implementation and dialogue with all groups affected by these modernisation measures, and welcomes the agreement of a number of key stakeholders – the faculty of pathology, Royal College of Physicians, the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association as well as a number of others – to become involved in the process.”