NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh has announced a review of quality assurance arrangements for NHS pathology services.  Led by National Clinical Director for Pathology, Dr Ian Barnes, the review will scrutinise NHS arrangements for the oversight and safeguards of laboratory testing.  The review will bring together experts in the field to explore how Quality Assurance arrangements can be strengthened and how organisations can be more confident about the monitoring of the quality of care they offer the public. The review will begin in January and will report back  by the end of 2013 with recommendations for the NHS Commissioning Board to consider.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh said: “Every patient should receive the best care possible. The NHS has a strong reputation for providing high-grade laboratory tests. With advances in technology and practice, I want to ensure that quality remains at the forefront.”

For more information, please visit the Department of Health’s website.