CHEAPER and faster pathology testing will be available in the hospital this year despite fears that the Laboratory information management system would be out of action.
Fears over the hospital's pathology system going out of action have been shot down, with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Fundation Trust's (HHFT) confirming a new system is on the way.
It comes after a report raised concerns that the hospital may not have a functioning pathology Laboratory information management system (LIMS) in the new year.
Concerns were raised in the HHFT Board of Directors meeting on November 28, with a report stating that the LIMS would become end of life on December 31 and if the pathology LIMS system is not upgraded before this date, then, due to the Southern Pathology Network project delays, "the Trust will not have a functional pathology system."
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The report continues, stating that the project is now delayed until March 2025 and "mitigations are being developed" to address the risks associated with the delay.
Now, HHFT has shut down these concerns and confirmed that the old system is still functional but will be replaced this year when it is safe to switch over.
The new LIMS system, which all hospitals in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that have pathology laboratories will begin to use this year, is reportedly more cost effective and quicker than the current one.
A spokesperson for HHFT said: "As part of a national program, all NHS hospitals in HIOW with pathology laboratories are moving onto the same pathology laboratory information management system (LIMS).
"This will help make pathology testing potentially faster and cheaper in the future.
"During the period of transition between LIMS systems, we are working with system partners to ensure continuity of services so that patients are in no way affected.
"A new LIMS at HHFT will be in place in 2025 and the current LIMS will continue until it is safe to switch over."
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