The Department is currently consulting on the recommendations of a review of clinical pathology laboratory services in Northern Ireland. The report of the review makes 23 recommendations, which aim to ensure the sustainability of high quality laboratory services across Northern Ireland. The recommendations include proposals for reconfiguration of the current service delivery profile. If the recommendations are accepted and implemented, Daisy Hill hospital would provide site-essential, rapid response clinical biochemistry and haematology services 12-hours daily. Out of hours urgent samples would be transferred to the nearest large acute hospital, 24-hour blood transfusion services would be maintained, with out of hours cover from the nearest large acute hospital laboratory, and with electronic release of blood for patients who have previously been cross-matched.
The consultation period runs until 28 February 2007, following which the responses will be considered and decisions on the future profile of hospital pathology services finalised.