On April 1, all the Whittington Hospital’s pathology services transferred to Sonic Healthcare UK. Around 100 staff have now joined our organisation, and all but one service will continue to be provided at the Whittington’s soon-to-be upgraded essential services laboratory (ESL). Andrew Levett, who managed the programme, explains.
“The transfer actually went very smoothly and to schedule. We now manage the entire pathology service which includes Microbiology, Andrology, Virology, Immunology, clinical Chemistry, Haematology, special Haematology, Coagulation, Blood Transfusion and Point of Care. The ESL will handle 4.5m samples in the first year, and grow every year thereafter.
Construction work will start soon to allow refurbishment and installation of new equipment. In line with Sonic Healthcare UK’s commitment to staff, one of the first things we’re installing is a new tea area!”
All Joined Up
Angus Wyatt, who along with Oneal Joseph and Pragna Patel, stepped in to manage the lab during handover, adds that the transfer not only marks the end of a period of uncertainty for the trust’s staff and patients but has other advantages.
“As well as benefiting from all the new equipment and working conditions, another aspect of the new lab is that it means all the pathology IT systems can now be linked across North Central London. This added interoperability will be a huge advantage for clinicians and patients, allowing for greater visibility of lab results to hospital staff, who would previously have been unable to view the results of GPs from outside their catchment.”
Facilitating the Process
“I would also like to thank our Sonic FM team under Billy Layton. Dean Finlay and others had to make a lot of changes very quickly, and they have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition.”
New Lab, New Manager
Responsibility for managing the new ESL has now passed to Chris Wilson, formerly Head of Biochemistry based at 60 Whitfield Street.
Chris says he’s really enjoying the change - which comes with a number of challenges.
“It’s a steep learning curve! There’s lots to do but we’re at the next phase of moving microbiology to the Halo - after which we’ll be able to start building and installing new equipment.
We’re also working with new colleagues, instilling the Sonic ethos and values and ways of doing things. We already have a lot of common ground and the support I’ve had has been invaluable.”