On 28 November 2016 the Health Minister launched a twelve week public consultation on proposals to improve HSC Pathology Services, including the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS), in order to ensure a high quality service for the future.

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), in partnership with the Pathology Network, managed the consultation which was one of the key early actions in the Minister’s agenda to deliver world class health and social care services, as outlined in Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together.

The Modernising HSC Pathology Services Proposals for Change consultation document explained the issues and opportunities faced, and sought stakeholders’ views on three proposals for improving services based in evidence of best practice in Pathology service modernisation. The consultation attracted 388 responses, the majority were from HSC pathology staff, as well as professional and expert bodies aligned to pathology.

Two reports of the consultation responses were produced for the Department of Health and informed its policy position on the way forward to transform HSC Pathology Services.