IBMS Response: Elective Care Reform Plan

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) welcomes the government’s newly published ‘Reforming elective care for patients’ and its ambitious goals to reduce waiting times, invest in diagnostic capacity, and enhance patient choice and experience. Our members — biomedical scientists and laboratory staff working across pathology and diagnostic services — are fundamental to ensuring these reforms achieve real, tangible benefits for patients.

Below, we have outlined key areas of the Plan and our response:

1. Investment in Diagnostics and Pathology Services

IBMS position:

• We commend the additional £1.5 billion in capital investment (originally announced in the Autumn Budget) to support new surgical hubs and diagnostic tools, including the development of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs). This funding is vital for delivering the government’s pledge to expand capacity, perform millions more appointments, and reduce waiting lists.
• Pathology is often the unseen engine of the NHS, driving nearly every clinical decision. Robust funding and resources for pathology laboratories are essential to maintain quality and improve turnaround times.
• As diagnostic services move further into community settings — particularly through point-of-care testing (POCT) in CDCs — careful governance and quality oversight from laboratory professionals will be critical to maintaining accuracy, reliability, and patient safety.
• While POCT can carry higher upfront costs compared to centralised laboratory testing, when managed effectively, it can deliver downstream benefits, reduce hospital visits, and help improve overall patient care.

How biomedical scientists can help:

• Biomedical scientists will be central to efforts to increase diagnostic capacity, optimise workflows, and assure the quality of tests across new community-based settings.
• By overseeing and managing POCT devices and processes, biomedical scientists can help maintain rigorous standards of quality control, ensuring that expansion into community-based testing does not compromise accuracy or patient safety.
• As these services expand, we urge the government to ensure that pathology teams have sufficient workforce, training, and infrastructure to keep pace with heightened demand.

2. Rapid Access to Patient Results

IBMS position:

• We strongly support giving patients timely access to their results. Quick access can empower patients, improve awareness of their own health, and potentially support faster clinical decision-making.
• However, to be effective, test results must be presented in a clear context. Without support from trained professionals, patients may be left uncertain about the meaning or implications of their results, adding stress or risking misinterpretation.

How biomedical scientists can help:

• Biomedical scientists’ expertise in testing processes, quality control, and data interpretation can help provide the “bridge” between raw results and actionable understanding.
• By serving as a resource for both patients and medical colleagues, biomedical scientists can reduce the burden on busy clinicians while ensuring that patients receive accurate, timely explanations of their results.

IBMS Chief Executive David Wells said: 

Giving patients rapid access to their test results ensures informed decision-making and strengthens support. However, it’s just as important that these results come with the right professional context and guidance. Biomedical scientists — the experts at the heart of diagnostics — should play a pivotal role in interpreting test data, explaining results clearly, and easing pressure on medics.

3. Digital Transformation and Data Integration

IBMS position:

• We applaud the drive toward a modernised, integrated NHS IT system. The planned upgrades to the NHS App and the deployment of the Federated Data Platform (FDP) promise more efficient, transparent, and patient-centred services.
• Ensuring data quality and interoperability — particularly in pathology services — will be vital to realising the full benefits of digital transformation. Standardisation of IT messaging and data handling is a foundation stone to make the required changes and derive the benefits to patients.

How biomedical scientists can help:

• Biomedical scientists play a critical role in guaranteeing data integrity and delivering accurate results. They are ideally placed to support the design of IT pathways that facilitate safe electronic results reporting, flag critical abnormalities, and streamline communication with clinical teams and patients.

4. Addressing Workforce Challenges

IBMS position:

• We welcome initiatives to bolster the healthcare workforce and create targeted training pathways. A sustainable pipeline of biomedical scientists is indispensable if we are to meet rising demands and fully harness the potential of digital diagnostics.
• We encourage the government to work with professional bodies like the IBMS to develop tailored strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining biomedical scientists.

How biomedical scientists can help:

• Biomedical scientists, given the right support and career development opportunities, will be key to realising the Plan’s vision — particularly in community diagnostics and ‘straight-to-test’ pathways.
• Aligning training with emerging technologies, including AI for diagnostic support, will help create a flexible workforce ready for the NHS of the future.

5. Tackling Health Inequalities and Promoting Equity

IBMS position:

• We are encouraged by the Plan’s focus on improving access to diagnostics in underserved communities and addressing health inequalities.
• Pathology data can play a powerful role in identifying unmet needs and directing interventions to communities that stand to benefit the most.

How biomedical scientists can help:

• By assisting with tailored diagnostic pathways, biomedical scientists can help ensure faster access to tests and more equitable treatment outcomes.
• Engaging with local communities through education and outreach initiatives can reduce barriers, build trust, and improve health literacy.

Conclusion

The IBMS welcomes the government’s commitment to improving elective care, particularly the recognition that investment in diagnostics is key to transforming patient experiences and clinical outcomes. Biomedical scientists are integral to making these reforms a success: from designing robust testing pathways and harnessing digital innovations, to interpreting results and helping patients and clinicians alike gain deeper insight into diagnoses.

We look forward to collaborating with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and other healthcare professionals to ensure the Plan’s ambitions are delivered safely, efficiently, and equitably for all patients.