Published: 6th October 2020 - All information correct at time of publication.
We are delighted to announce that SYNLAB UK & Ireland will become the new pathology partner to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The contract will see SYNLAB forge a partnership with the two London Trusts to form a new pathology provider organisation. Together, we will transform and deliver pathology services across South East London over the next 15 years.
Linked to the NHS’ vision to develop ‘hub and spoke’ pathology networks, the new partnership will provide pathology services not only to the two Trusts, but also to other hospitals, GP practices, community services, clinics and healthcare organisations.
The collaboration will bring a raft of improvements for patients, with urgent and routine tests turned around more quickly, leading to faster decisions regarding care. Avoidable overnight admissions will be reduced as a result, along with related delays to patient discharge, releasing vital NHS beds. The NHS also stands to make substantial cost savings from the contract.
Building on existing Viapath pathology expertise, clinicians and scientists will benefit from a range of improvements thanks to SYNLAB’s investment in state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge equipment and remote on-line access to test results as well as the introduction of digital pathology, allowing more time to be spent on patient care. They will also benefit from access to our global laboratory and diagnostic network, including international expertise and research and development, to advance clinical and scientific practice here in the UK.
I am delighted that SYNLAB has been chosen to transform and deliver pathology services in South East London. I am looking forward to meeting and working with colleagues from Viapath, the present pathology service, and hospital Trusts in the coming weeks and months. It is clear that they’ve been at the heart of healthcare services during the pandemic, and they also have some exciting research and development programmes underway – something we are very passionate about at SYNLAB.
Arnaud Gueny, Chief Executive for SYNLAB UK and Ireland
SYNLAB has proven experience in working successfully with the NHS to provide world-class laboratory and pathology services. We pride ourselves on the difference we make to NHS patients and clinicians by providing reliable, effective and timely diagnostic information.
Through our existing NHS partnerships, we have shown how combining our expertise, capability and resources has successfully delivered a range of tangible benefits which, in turn, enhance clinical decision making, improve patient treatment and care, and allow the NHS to increase spending on alternative patient services.
Becoming the pathology partner for the NHS is a very important step for SYNLAB Group. We are excited to leverage SYNLAB’s broad portfolio of services and the deep expertise of SYNLAB’s network of experts for the patients in the South East London area and beyond.
Mathieu Floreani, SYNLAB Group Chief Executive
High-quality pathology services are critical to the delivery of safe and effective patient care. Our new partnership with SYNLAB provides us with an exciting opportunity to use our collective expertise and innovative new technology to redefine what best practice looks like. Together, we are committed to continuously improving our pathology services to support the best possible care for patients in South East London.
Dr Ian Abbs, Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Prof Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Contracts for the new pathology network are expected to be signed by November 2020. Existing acute and direct access GP services provided by Viapath will move to the new service contract from 1 April 2021, with remaining direct access GP services within South East London expected to transfer later in the year.
