Taranaki DHB to integrate hospital & community lab services

Media Release

December 13, 2016 - Embargoed until Tuesday 13 at 9am.

Taranaki DHB to integrate hospital and community lab services into single provider

Taranaki DHB has confirmed its strategic intent to change the way Pathology and Laboratory Services are delivered in Taranaki, and move to a single laboratory provider for hospital and community services.

Becky Jenkins, Taranaki DHB General Manager, Planning and Funding said, “In order for Pathology and Laboratory Services in Taranaki to be sustainable in the long term, the DHB has decided to implement a “whole of system” approach and consolidate services into a single, large processing lab, complemented by acute campuses, as required.”

Integrating hospital and community laboratory services is not a new concept in New Zealand – more than half of New Zealand’s DHBs have an integrated laboratory service.

“The decision, to change the way hospital and laboratory services are delivered, includes having Pathology and Laboratory Services delivered from a purpose-built facility, on the grounds of Taranaki DHB. These services would be outsourced to a single provider,” said Mrs Jenkins.

“The move to a single service aims to improve co-ordination and performance of services across the whole system, provide a better experience for patients, increase equity and improve health outcomes, deliver services closer to people’s homes and provide long term financially and clinically sustainable services,” explained Mrs Jenkins.

At this stage the Taranaki District Health Board is in discussion with Taranaki MedLab regarding the outsourcing of these services. We are working toward achieving an agreement in principle by the end of March 2017. However, this agreement would be subject to satisfactory achievement of key outcomes.

Both DHB and Medlab staff have been informed of the Board’s decision. “We will be consulting with all Taranaki DHB Labcare (Labcare) and Medlab staff about the impacts that the service change would mean for all staff,” added Mrs Jenkins.

ENDS

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