Programmes

The vast majority of clinical pathways rely heavily on diagnostics. These pathways are not always optimised and delivered equitably, in line with the best practice or optimal delivery models. The result can be a poorer patient experience and missed opportunities to improve the effective use of resources.

Working with key stakeholders in the Cancer Alliance, stroke and other clinical networks as well as GPs and specialty teams, both Pathology and Imaging Diagnostic Networks are helping to identify opportunities for clinical pathway optimisation through the development of the diagnostic service contribution.

These projects recognise the challenges that exist in the peninsula, and seek to provide multi-organisational solutions in partnership with existing networks and specialist interest groups.

Digital solutions and automation present a huge opportunity across the network. Analysis is underway to understand the current position and identify potential efficiencies and benefits.

A multi-site Laboratory Information System (LIMS) procured last year is in the final stages of set-up. Aligning LIMS with each trust's Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system is a challenge, as some trusts are at different stages in their EPR procurement. An overarching connectivity solution is being explored in the interim.

A digital pathology data centre has now been built and is undergoing connectivity tests. Once complete, this will mean that digital scanning will soon be available at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The system will be validated by consultants, before going live with patients in September. The aim is to reach a target of 50% digital reporting by March 2025, and the network has received further funding from NHS England to help meet this aim.

An Integrated Clinical Environment (ICE) is live across all of the peninsula's trusts, enabling requests and test results to be delivered electronically.

This also means that all trusts can benefit from OpenNet, which allows GPs to view requests and results across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, regardless of where the order was placed.

The environmental sustainability agenda is an important focus for the network, as pathology involves large quantities of single-use plastics and uses lots of energy, so there is plenty of scope for reducing storage requirements and improving efficiency.

The network has an established Pathology Sustainability Group, with membership from peninsula labs and trust leads. It keeps tabs on environmental actions happening around the area, and identifying ideas that can be spread elsewhere.

Read more in this case study.

The Peninsula Pathology Network aims to ensure a sustainable workforce that meets the increasing demands highlighted in the Richards Report and by Lord Darzi's independent review of the NHS.

These growing demands can only be met by a workforce with the right knowledge, skills, and capacity. Biomedical scientists play a key role in meeting these demands and ensuring patients have an accurate and timely diagnosis and inform a significant amount of patient care pathways.

The Peninsula Pathology Network are prioritising a strategic approach to workforce planning by standardising workforce data collection to identify gaps and ensure consistency between pathology services across the network. 

There are several workforce projects underway in the peninsula that reflect our key workforce priorities which are:

• Grow your own (GYO) workforce: attracting people from within the locality into the workforce and developing them into suitable roles within the network.
• Increasing skills mix to benefit patient pathways: we aim to harness what was achieved during the pandemic and consider the roles within the workforce to ensure professionals are operating to the top of their scope of practice.
• Recruitment and retention: we aim to recruit and retain staff in all roles across pathology including administration staff, support workers, biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, managers and medical roles.

Here are some of our current workforce projects:

 

Outreach (stimulating local interest)

We are continuously working to improve our careers promotion and outreach across Devon and Cornwall and aim to support trusts in engaging with their local communities to raise awareness and spark interest in careers within pathology. The network is currently supporting departments in the provision of work experience and T Level Industry placements offers, aiming to give students real life experience in the labs before applying for further training programmes. 

 

Recruitment and retention 

The Network is currently looking at ways to increase recruitment of biomedical scientists through the development of support workers and increasing biomedical science degree placements. Network trainers are assisting with the completion of BMS registration portfolio sign offs and assisting with the Higher specialists' portfolios. 

 

Increasing skill mix to benefit patient pathway

The pandemic shone a light on what biomedical scientists were able to achieve. The network aims to ensure that they have the right number of people, with the right skills, in the right place. This project looks at the current staffing and where we need to support departments to develop staff to meet the demands of the service for patient care.