The proposed Health and Social Care Pathology Services Agency for Northern Ireland has received support from an independent UK-wide review. The report, chaired by Lord Carter of Coles and commissioned by the Institute of Biomedical Science, concludes that integrated pathology services deliver clear benefits and that completing reform should be the priority.

The review examined pathology services across the United Kingdom. It recommends full operational integration of laboratory services, reinforcing the Department of Health's strategic direction. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the findings, stating that the review aligns with the Department's vision for a single regional agency.

The Minister noted that the review recognises work already under way to transform pathology services in Northern Ireland. He said he had recently hosted Lord Carter at an HSC pathology laboratory to observe the work of staff.

Pathology supports approximately 95% of all patient diagnosis and treatment pathways. Northern Ireland's laboratories process around 40 million tests annually. The report states that fully integrated models offer greater resilience, efficiency and consistent standards than fragmented systems.

The proposed agency would bring all regional pathology services under one management structure, aiming for improved consistency, stronger governance and better value. The Department has already invested in the necessary digital infrastructure.

Alongside organisational change, the review calls for strengthened workforce planning, creation of a national dataset, accelerated digital transformation, greater accountability and reinvestment of efficiency savings into frontline services. Minister Nesbitt said any gains from service changes should be returned to support workforce development, digital capability, quality improvement and service resilience.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to pathology staff, describing their expertise as essential to modern healthcare. The review notes that transformation depends on maintaining the support of the workforce.

The Department of Health is progressing its Pathology Blueprint Programme to create the agency, though no completion date has been set.