Australian software company Citadel Health has secured a £15.9 million contract to revolutionise pathology services in Wales.

The firm will provide its Evolution vLab laboratory information management system (LIMS) software to NHS Wales, replacing the current three separate systems to create a single pathology network connecting clinicians, labs and hospitals.

Once live, the system will manage more than 35 million tests that are processed each year by 21 NHS Wales pathology labs.

The contract also includes a range of systems and services including Haemonetics Blood Track and Nuance Dragon One Digital Dictation. 

Under the agreement, Citadel Health will supply its software to NHS Wales for seven years, with the option to extend for a further two years. Roll out is due to begin in 2023 and will replace the existing LIMS system, supplied by InterSystems which was introduced in 2013.

WHY IT MATTERS

Pathology underpins 95% of all clinical pathways and 70% of all diagnoses in Wales. Citadel Health’s solution aims to give clinicians faster access to accurate, real-time pathology information across every discipline.

Key benefits of the new system include faster turnaround of tests, a reduction in repeat tests, improved clinical safety through electronic test requesting and ensuring the service can cope with increasing demand.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Last year the UK government invested £50 million in the work of the Digital Pathology and Imaging Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence to develop AI and digital tools to diagnose diseases.

The investment was part of the government’s commitment to saving more lives and detecting three-quarters of all cancers at an early stage by 2028.

ON THE RECORD

Judith Bates, LINC programme director, NHS Wales said: “This is an exciting time for the pathology service. Laboratory Information Network Cymru (LINC) is looking forward to working with Citadel Health, in partnership with Digital Health and Care Wales and NHS Wales Pathology services, to ensure the new Welsh LIMS is developed to meet NHS Wales requirements and safely deployed across all pathology laboratories and services.”

Stephen Lynch, executive general manager at Citadel Health said: “Our cutting-edge technology provides a unified pathology workflows to help people now, and into the future, as new tests and services are developed to meet growing demands. We’re proud to be working with NHS Wales - an organisation that is leading the way in digital transformation of healthcare in the UK - we are delighted to be working alongside them on this journey.”

Kevin Williams, NHS Wales pathology subject matter expert, said: “This has been a very successful procurement involving a tremendous amount of engagement and effort from staff across multiple organisations. As a result of the logistical challenges created by COVID-19, we have learned to work remotely in an entirely different way, making the best use of technology to facilitate the work involved, including supplier demonstrations, supplier dialogue and virtual site visits across the world.”