Organisation of neoplastic haematopathology services: a UK perspective

The introduction of specialist haematopathology services in the United Kingdom has highlighted a number of scientific and organisational issues that in time may have a wider impact on diagnostic laboratories in general. These include the relationship between size and cost effectiveness and the future role of clinical scientists and medically trained pathologists. Integrated laboratories of the type being developed challenge the prevailing model for delivery of pathological services in the United Kingdom, which is based around the traditional pathology disciplines. These speciality boundaries will become less relevant as long established diagnostic techniques are replaced by the new generation of diagnostic technologies and it is important to establish frameworks of service delivery that can deploy these developments for the benefit of patients.