IBMS and RCPath issue press release on restart of in-house Immunohistochemistry at Sherwood Forest Hospitals
The Institute of Biomedical Scientists (IBMS) and Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) have issued a joint press release announcing the resumption of recommence in-house immunohistochemistry testing (excluding Breast Hormone receptor testing) at, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s King’s Mill Hospital. In 2012 the IBMS and RCPath assisted with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) investigation into quality assessment processes at the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The IBMS and RCPath provided representative with the specialist skills needed to explain complex clinical, scientific and technical information underlying standards of care and levels of risks to patients, producing recommendations for improvement.
Since the publication of the report, the immunochemistry service at King’s Mill Hospital has been sending cases for testing to another hospital. The decision to re-start the service was taken on grounds of improvements in services and quality assurance following a visit in October 2014 by representatives from the IBMS, RCPath and CQC, who were satisfied that recommendations from their report had been implemented.
Nick Kirk, President, Institute of Biomedical Science said: “It is most encouraging to see the improvements made at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, following the recommendations made in The Royal College of Pathologists’ report. Robust governance systems and strong quality assurance processes are essential for ensuring safe, high quality pathology services and it is reassuring to see the progress made in these areas by the Trust”.
Dr M Shafiq Gill, Head of Service for Cellular Pathology at Sherwood Forest NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted to hear that The Royal College of Pathologists and the Institute of Biomedical Science team are satisfied with our governance and quality management systems. The cellular pathology team at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has worked very hard to develop appropriate systems which can ensure a high quality and safe diagnostic service. This has been achieved as a result of collaborative work with colleagues across the Trust, including those within the breast service and clinicians. This is in addition to support and guidance from RCPath, IBMS, East Midlands Breast Quality Assurance Reference Centres (QARC), and regional pathology departments. We would like to thank all of them for their support. An on-site immunohistochemistry service would mean improved or shorter test result turn-around times for our patients”.
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) has published a series of benchmark guidance and policy documents for laboratory service.