Health Minister welcomes independent review backing major overhaul of Northern Ireland pathology services

A major independent review has concluded that Northern Ireland should press ahead with plans to bring its pathology services under a single regional structure, with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcoming the findings as support for an ongoing transformation of diagnostic services.

The review, led by Lord Carter of Coles, says pathology services across the UK have already demonstrated the benefits of greater integration and modernisation, and argues that the priority is now to complete that work.

Why it matters

Pathology services underpin almost every aspect of modern healthcare, providing the laboratory testing needed to diagnose disease, monitor treatment and guide clinical decisions.

According to the review, around 95% of patient diagnosis and treatment pathways rely on pathology, with approximately 40 million laboratory tests carried out each year in Northern Ireland.

The review concludes that fully integrated pathology services are better able to deliver resilience, efficiency and consistent standards than fragmented systems.

Plans for a single regional service

The findings closely align with the Department of Health’s plans to establish a single Health and Social Care (HSC) Pathology Services Agency for Northern Ireland.

The proposed agency would bring pathology services currently delivered across the region under one management structure, with the aim of improving consistency, governance and performance while making better use of public resources.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the report reinforced the direction already being taken in Northern Ireland.

“I thank Lord Carter for his latest review and work in this area, which clearly recognises pathology services as a critical component of modern healthcare.”

He added that the review “supports our ongoing work towards an integrated, regional management structure for HSC pathology services in Northern Ireland.”

Investment in digital technology and workforce

Alongside organisational reform, the review recommends strengthening workforce planning, expanding digital technology, improving accountability and creating better national data to support pathology services.

It also stresses that any efficiencies created through reform should be reinvested into frontline services rather than diverted elsewhere.

Mr Nesbitt welcomed that recommendation.

“Any benefits realised through service transformation should be reinvested in pathology workforce development, digital capability, quality improvement and service resilience.”

He said Northern Ireland has already invested in digital infrastructure and described the proposed pathology agency as “the next step on the journey” towards delivering safer, more consistent diagnostic services.

Recognising frontline staff

The Minister also paid tribute to the pathology workforce, saying laboratory professionals play a vital but often unseen role in patient care.

“I want to thank our HSC pathology workforce for the vital role they play every day in supporting patient care. Their expertise and commitment are essential to the delivery of modern health and social care services.”

The review notes that successful transformation depends on maintaining the support and expertise of the workforce throughout the changes.

What happens next?

The Department of Health is continuing work through its Pathology Blueprint Programme to establish the proposed HSC Pathology Services Agency.

While no timetable for completing the reforms has been announced, the independent review provides further backing for the Department’s long-term strategy to modernise pathology services and create a single regional model aimed at improving diagnostic services for patients across Northern Ireland.