Pathology Programme News No. 4 1 st October 2009

1. Workstreams Update Service Planning and Delivery Service Redesign On 14th October a full day event open to all Pathology staff will be held in Builth Wells to provide an introduction to service redesign and improvement tools and techniques. NLIAH will host the day, providing background information and taster sessions, and colleagues from Pathology services will share their experiences of practical application of the tools and techniques and the benefits derived. Then, commencing in January 2010, two NLIAH Yellowbelt4Healthcare courses have been reserved for teams from Pathology and Imaging departments to receive training in the tools and techniques through using them to deliver a local project. Service Delivery Following publication by the Minister for Health of The Future Delivery of Pathology Services in Wales (FSD) in August 2008, a baseline against the recommendations was carried out. The wealth of information contributed by services around Wales was compiled into the first edition of the Future Service Delivery Atlas in February 2009. Information as at 30th September 2009 will be collected during the period October to December and the updated atlas will be available to further facilitate sharing of ideas and good practice between Pathology and other services. The atlas will also provide evidence for LHB Boards and WAG of the progress of Pathology services toward implementation of the recommendations contained in the FSD. Quality Guides and resources to assist laboratories to achieve CPA accreditation and meet other regulatory requirements such as MHRA and HTA continue to be developed by the Quality Management Forum and the POCT Coordinators. These are available through NLIAH Improvement Online, where a Pathology Community has been established. This can be accessed at www.nliah.com/portal Information Consistent, robust, clearly defined information for all Pathology services in Wales will be required in future to inform, among others: Reports to LHB Boards eg Key Performance Indicators based upon accreditation status and compliance with regulations, user satisfaction and resource utilisation Reports required by WAG eg against Healthcare Standards for Wales Configuration of the new LIMS With input from the discipline groups working to deliver the information required for configuration of the new LIMS and the Laboratory Management Forum, an initial dictionary of terms and definitions is being compiled. It is planned that where appropriate, elements of the information dictionary will be submitted to the Welsh Information Governance Standards Board (WIGSB) as national standards. It is also planned that responsibility for the future development and updating of the information dictionary will lie with the National Pathology Programme Board (NPPB). Workforce An all Wales network of those responsible for the management and development of Pathology Support Worker training is being formed linked to the NPPB. The purpose of the group will be to share resources and ideas, facilitate access to training and enable an all Wales approach to development of the band 4 role. The first meeting of the group will take place on 20th October in Builth Wells. If you would like further information on the National Pathology Programme Board, please go to http://howis.wales.nhs.uk/pmuw If you would like further information on the programme work streams please go to www.nliah.com/portal or contact Margie Fielden, Pathology Project Manager, by telephoning 02920 207615 or emailing margie.fielden@pmuw.wales.nhs.uk Pathology Programme News No. 4 1st October 2009