§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the objectives of their pathology modernisation programme; and how these compare with what has been achieved by the managed network of public health laboratories. [HL572]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Pathology Modernisation Programme is a 10 year programme to modernise pathology services and encourage larger systems of clinical pathology which will have the capacity to deal with rising demand and technological developments. The aims, which encompass National Health Service and Public Health Laboratory Service laboratories, are to improve the quality and efficiency of services, while securing sufficient medium and longer-term savings to support continuing reinvestment and development. This is consistent with the direction of development in PHLS. The main objectives of the PMP are to support NHS pathology services to respond to workforce pressures, growing demand, and the continuing development of new diagnostic technologies.