Yes that wording has also intrigued me over the years and I guess it wouldn’t need much analytical expertise to come to that figure?? However it would be nice to find out where the original figure came from but would it be in the best interests of pathology to delve too deeply??...........................Dennis

The telling point is that it actually says “Up to 70%” i.e. anything from zero to 70.

Michael

Hi Mike, Rick and all

My reason for entering this chat line was because I remembered writing a paper about this 70% and following an exchange of emails with you Mike over the weekend, I realised that the ref in my earlier email was not the answer. So digging around in my files I found my paper (MLW Sept 2002 Conspicuous by its absence P 6 et seq) and apart from identifying the first quote of the 70% figure in an HSC Report, I was annoyed/disturbed/disgusted at the time to find that neither the IBMS nor the ACB were represented as organisations in the list of witnesses interviewed even though they may well have been there as individual members.

However to cut a very long story short here is the ref for the HSC Report and I then copy the intro to the Pathology Section. You can read the rest for yourselves - -

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmhealth/308/30802.htm

VI PATHOLOGY AND PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

Pathology in the NHS

139. Our terms of reference extended to Public Private Partnerships. As we noted above, The NHS Plan outlined areas for further collaboration between the NHS and the independent sector. We chose to focus on pathology, one of the key areas where the Department anticipates growth.

140. The estimated total NHS expenditure on pathology services was £742 million in 2000-01, an increase of nearly £200 million on the figure for 1998-99.[231] The Royal College of Pathologists estimates that pathology consumes around 6% of the NHS acute services budget.[232] There are around 300 services in England, usually based in acute trusts, and about 1700 separate laboratories (principally haematology, microbiology, biochemistry, histopathology, immunology). Historically, pathology laboratories developed on-site in hospitals, serving local catchment populations. There are also approximately 250 private sector laboratories. There are a further 46 Public Health Laboratory services.[233]

141. Up to 70% of all diagnoses in NHS patients depend on laboratory tests, hence NHS pathology services are critical for the day to day evidence-based care of patients. Fewer than 5% of test requests ("hot tests") require a response within 24 hours. The NHS undertakes some pathology work for the independent sector, but very little NHS work is currently undertaken by the independent sector. In addition, the reprovision of laboratories has been included in a number of PFI projects. Only about 5% of pathology work undertaken in the UK is currently conducted by the private sector.[234]

I have to admit that I have not read thru the total report and it may well mention somewhere more about the work carried out to support the 70% figure. However if not then I am sure there are amongst you those who will know and be able to contact some of the more prominent Pathology personnel eg – Prof. Sir John Lilleyman and Karen Ward to mention just two

So hope this ramble helps you identify the source and accuracy of the 70% figure and then I hope you will publish your findings----------PLEASE

Happy reading everybody……………………Dennis

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