HC Deb 18 December 2002 vol 396 cc885-6W
Dr. Richard Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies will undertake the work of the Public Health Laboratories until the Managed Pathology Networks are in operation. [87724]

Mr. Hutton

As outlined in the recently published document, Future arrangements for microbiology laboratory services, all Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) laboratories, except for those designated as Health Protection Agency (HPA) laboratories, will transfer into the management of National Health Service trusts on 1 April 2003.

The Department of Health document, Pathology—the essential service, draft guidance on modernising pathology services, supported the development of managed pathology networks as an effective means of delivering improved pathology services.

The consultation period for this document ended on 30 September 2002. The results of the consultation are currently being considered. It is expected that new guidance will be released to the NHS in the new year.