Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to reform hospital laboratory services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6936/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Approximately 77 million laboratory tests are undertaken annually across 44 public hospitals. At present the annual cost of this service is approximately €470 million. The workload comprises both urgent and non-urgent tests and a significant proportion of the activity originates in the primary care setting. An external review of laboratory services was conducted for the HSE by Teamwork Management Services in 2007. The review highlighted limitations in the current organisation of laboratories, which have an impact on quality, turn around time and cost.

In light of the review, the HSE announced plans last year to modernise laboratory services and to introduce significant efficiencies in the configuration and operation of these services. The HSE has already had significant engagement with stakeholders in progressing this initiative. Groups such as the Faculty of Pathology and the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association will have an ongoing input into the process. As part of this initiative, the HSE has commenced discussions with the National Development Finance Agency about the capital financing of a small number of dedicated "cold" laboratories to process the large volumes of routine patient tests currently undertaken in hospital laboratories. This will include a robust analysis of the cold laboratory business model from a 'Value for Money' perspective.

I am also pleased to say that some improvements in laboratory service have taken place since the completion of the review. The number of individual laboratory disciplines which have been accredited has increased significantly. In addition, some reconfiguration of laboratory services has been achieved by transferring work undertaken in a number of small laboratories to larger laboratories. This allows for a higher level of throughput. I want to acknowledge the important role of staff and other stakeholders in effecting these changes and the shared commitment of all to the objective of high quality, cost effective laboratory services.