NEWS
APPG for Diagnostics report examines CDCs
Following an inquiry into Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diagnostics has published its first report, highlighting the clear benefits of the programme with each ICS having at least one CDC site, but also concerns over their placement, workforce and funding.
As part of its inquiry into CDCs, the APPG for Diagnostics held two roundtables in June and July 2023 to investigate the current state and future of the programme. Chair and former health minister Maggie Throup MP led discussion with the support of the joint secretariat, The Royal College of Pathologists and The Royal College of Radiologists. The report, CDCs Unveiled: Challenges & Triumphs An Inquiry into Community Diagnostic Centres shows that NHS England and the government
have made strides in delivering the CDC programme, approving 174 CDC sites and opening one in each Integrated Care System (ICS). However, concerns persist about unequal geographic distribution and funding constraints for future expansion. CDCs are multi-diagnostic facilities
created to bolster local diagnostic capacity; enhance patient access, experience and outcomes; alleviate hospital burden; and address regional disparities in healthcare. They provide a range of imaging, endoscopy, physiological science and pathology services.
Analysis of CDC activity reveals a slow pace, with only around 5 million tests conducted since July 2021 against a target of 17 million by 2025. Collaboration with the private sector has expanded services, but persistent high demand and limited
capacity pose ongoing challenges. Embedding CDCs in the heart of communities, after successful public engagement, improves access to diagnostic services, but questions remain over how many CDCs are truly community-based, with 5.2% and 41% of approved CDC sites located on acute hospital and community hospital estates respectively. Ongoing staff shortages, demonstrated by shortfall figures and reports of unmanageable workloads, compounded by insufficient workforce planning and funding, limit CDC effectiveness. Proposed workforce solutions include acute/CDC rotation models, international recruitment, ‘grow your own’ initiatives, and private sector collaboration.
UKAS issues ISO 15189:2022 transition update
Following the publication of ISO 15189:2022 in December 2022, the first year of the three-year transition period is now complete and UKAS has issued an update on the transition process. UKAS spent 2023 training Assessment Managers and Technical Assessors in the requirements of ISO 15189:2022, as well as sharing information about the updated standard and UKAS transition process through presentations at numerous events across the country and online, writing articles for digital and print journals, and developing the UKAS ISO 15189:2022 transition hub. As per the UKAS transition plan,
all assessments taking place from 1 January 2024 are to ISO 15189:2022. One month before the transition assessment takes place, customers shall provide UKAS with a completed gap analysis detailing identified gaps and actions taken. The information provided to UKAS should be more than just a reference to the documented procedure and should explain what has been changed and actions taken by the laboratory. The UKAS transition plan involves completion of all transition assessments in 2024. This will allow time in 2025 for laboratories to close any non- conformities raised in assessments in late
2024; UKAS to complete the required decision making to grant accreditation to ISO 15189:2022 to any remaining laboratories; and to perform any repeat assessments required.
Customers who have not transitioned
their accreditation to ISO 15189:2022 by 6 December 2025 will have their accreditation under ISO 15189:2012 suspended for a maximum of six months. If a customer fails to address the remaining actions required to complete the transition process within this timeframe, accreditation under ISO 15189:2012 shall be withdrawn, and the customer will need to reapply for accreditation.
Rapid generation of multiple atmospheres in gas jars
Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) has launched a new gassing system for the rapid generation of multiple atmospheres (anaerobic, microaerobic and capnophilic) in gas jars.
The Whitley AtmoGen – the new
jar-gassing system – has fresh, modern graphics, bespoke software, and optional dual gas input. AtmoGen can be used to gas three separate jars simultaneously with the same atmosphere. Joe Walton, Director at DWS, explained the cost-saving figures: “We
have calculated that, if you are processing 30 samples per day, the running cost of AtmoGen is less than £600 per year whilst
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM FEBRUARY 2024
using gas packs can cost £3,580 per year. Based on this, the cost of the AtmoGen could be recouped in less than two years.” The system is easy to use, with no complicated training required, and can be operated with other, non-DWS anaerobic jars (with an adaptor kit). It also features a new catalyst check function to ensure that an effective catalyst is in place before incubation. AtmoGen has a 7-inch full colour touchscreen, USB and Ethernet ports, data logging, and comes complete with one Whitley Incubation Box.
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