Future of Pathology - a funded-sector view

Over many decades, Aotearoa’s pathology laboratory sector has served our communities well. Through the former District Health Board system, funded pathology providers including Awanui Labs, Pathlab and Medlab Central held contracts with individual DHBs to service a community in a defined region.

However, what we see today after many years, is the structure has produced a range of geographical and service inconsistencies for Kiwis.

As part of the health system reforms, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make changes that will offer consistent, patient-centred, smart, agile and appropriately resourced pathology laboratory services where public and private providers partner effectively towards a common goal.

That is why the funded-pathology sector have developed a position paper on what we believe the pathology sector needs to do and look like to deliver these aspirations of a consistent, well-resourced and patient-centred service.

The funded sector’s position is presented as a high-level view.

Service

A nationally consistent approach and standard of performance, designed with patients in mind.  

We support:  

  • A nationally aligned approach to patient-empowered services,  

  • Nationally consistent test lists, definitions, and standards, 

  • National performance metrics and service delivery KPIs applied to the whole sector.

Workforce

A well-trained, and sustainable workforce with lifelong careers.  

We support:   

  • National pay scale for lab workers,  

  • National strategic partnerships for recruitment and training, 

  • National strategy for attracting a more diverse workforce.  

Structure

An efficient national sector structure, consistent on who delivers what and where.  

We support:  

  • Establishment of national laboratory governance,  

  • Unify laboratory services where appropriate to prevent service duplication and better utilise existing resources, 

  • Ensure long-term sustainable contract periods to enable investment planning across all aspects of the laboratory service.  

Funding

A long-term sustainable funding model that caters for current and future needs.   

We support:  

  • Building flexibility into capacity funding models for routine automated testing,  

  • Complex and new testing is funded as a fee-for-service,  

  • Specific funding for scientific, technical, and service innovation.