Sussex Pathology Network selects Clinisys laboratory information system

The Sussex Pathology Network has selected Clinisys for the deployment of a Laboratory Information System (LIMS) that will help its laboratories collaborate and maintain a high quality pathology service for clinicians, patients and residents.

A single, hosted instance of Clinisys’ WinPath Enterprise will replace the current four live LIMS systems in use across three trusts and seven laboratories within the network, two of which are at the end of their lives.

Replacement is critical to ensuring that laboratories maintain their ability to provide a wide range of pathology services, supporting critical aspects such as diagnosis and treatment decisions, blood transfusions and trauma care.

An implementation team will work with laboratory and IT staff to ensure that the new LIMS supports consistent, efficient and high-quality processes, so that physicians and patients receive the same service regardless of where they work or live .

The new system from Clinisys, which partnered with mTuitive in March, will also enable better communication so labs can share workload and expertise and support remote work.

Over time, this will enable the introduction of automation and AI technologies, so that highly trained pathologists can focus on urgent and complex cases where their expertise is most needed.

Emily Gaskell, Program Director of Pathology at NHS Sussex, said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, our pathology laboratories have worked closely together, and this has encouraged us to move forward and adopt the NHS England model for the pathology network.

“However, because most laboratories are spread over a long, thin, coastal area where road communication is very poor, a hub and spoke model for all operations is impractical.

“Instead, we want to focus on creating a cohesive pathology service, so it doesn’t matter whether you get tested in Rye or Chichester; You’ll get the same test and the same quality results in the same reasonable time frame.

“To do this, a LIMS is necessary. We see Clinisys WinPath as a key enabler for the network and the improvement of services for people in Sussex.

WinPath Enterprise will provide a stable, secure and protected platform for the three trusts operated by Sussex Pathology Network: East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, and Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Felice Di Rienzo, Director of Professional Services at Clinisys, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sussex Pathology Service on the deployment of this new LIMS. The project team wants to work with speed and we are fully prepared for it.

“We look forward to standing alongside the implementation team and the network’s physicians as they position Clinisys WinPath as a stable, safe and secure platform for pathology services today and into the future.”

Implementation is at an early stage, but the goal is to roll-out the new LIMS site by site, and have the first two sites live by December next year.