Laboratory Services Funding Review

Laboratory Services Funding Review

Ensuring best use is made of funds for local laboratory services is the impetus behind a review, Tairawhiti District Health Board Chair Ingrid Collins said today.

At Friday’s Tairawhiti District Health Board meeting, Board members finalised Terms of Reference for the review planned for this year.

Mrs Collins said the objective of the review is to investigate whether there are potential benefits for patients if pathology and laboratory services in Tairawhiti are provided differently than they are now.

“There needs to be discussion around how laboratory services are best provided ensuring access for the public, sustainability of services, coverage hours, and timeliness of results,” Mrs Collins said.

Currently, Tairawhiti District Health funds community laboratory testing predominantly through Medlab Gisborne on Carnarvon St, and Gisborne Hospital Laboratory.

Community laboratory tests are those requested by GPs and other health professionals for patients.

Laboratory tests done in hospital, for example blood tests, are mainly carried out by the Gisborne Hospital Laboratory.

“This region is well served by its laboratories and now is a good time for the Board to take stock of the services provided. Maybe there will be no change, however it would be irresponsible of the Board if it did not make sure it is doing the best it can.” Mrs Collins said a number DHBs in other parts of the country are going through a similar process.

At Friday’s Board meeting, Board members agreed to use audit company Gough Brown and Giffney to put together a small independent review team to carry out the work involved.

Once the review team has completed its work, its report will be forwarded to the TDH Board for consideration.

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