The IBMS Council has commissioned Lord Patrick Carter to lead an independent UK-wide review into pathology.
In a changing landscape for diagnostics, with the implementation of the NHS 10-Year Plan and the rise of new technologies and AI, the review will establish evidence on the current state of services, workforce, quality and future opportunities to develop recommendations and guide policymaking.
The review will be undertaken in partnership with the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and Association of Laboratory Medicine (LabMed) in supporting roles.
The review will be conducted with support from NHS England and the health systems of the devolved nations through provision of available information shared solely for the purpose of the review and held under strictest terms of confidence. Recognising the work done to date in transforming pathology services, it will:
- map how services are configured and delivered
- assess workforce capacity, skills and development pathways
- evaluate quality, service resilience and digital readiness, including IT, automation and AI
- benchmark UK performance internationally across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The review will give equal weight to quality, patient outcomes, and clinical impact, alongside productivity and financial considerations. Its recommendations will be based on robust and fair data, ensuring they capture the true value of pathology services for patient pathways and the wider NHS.
