A cutting-edge pathology laboratory designed to serve patients across West Yorkshire has been officially opened by the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, Will Quince.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Centre for Laboratory Medicine marks a significant milestone in regional healthcare as it is set to house pathology services from Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
In addition to Minister Quince, the opening event on 26 September attracted a host of VIP guests including West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin.
Adding a touch of educational value to the occasion, young scientists from Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School participated in pathology experiments alongside the trust’s staff as part of the project’s wider community engagement programme.
Cutting-edge equipment
Guests also engaged with project staff and partners from contractor, BAM; Siemens Healthineers; and Clinisys to gain insights into the benefits this modern facility promises to deliver to patients, healthcare professionals, and the wider community.
This pioneering regional partnership, forged in collaboration with the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), will drive innovation in testing and diagnostics.
Equipped with advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment, the laboratory aims to deliver faster results for patients, irrespective of their geographical location.
Pathology plays a crucial role in the delivery of frontline care, and I am excited to see how, together with our colleagues in Calderdale and Mid Yorkshire, we can really drive innovative diagnostic testing across West Yorkshire
Quince said: “This new, cutting-edge pathology laboratory will serve thousands of patients across West Yorkshire – helping to deliver faster results, speed up diagnoses, and cut waiting lists.
“Backed by £35m of government funding, the lab will look at more-innovative ways to test and diagnose patients and will be equipped with advanced technology and the latest equipment.
“Crucially, by consolidating current services into one place, it will streamline access to testing and improve working environments for staff.”
BAM began construction of the Centre for Laboratory Medicine in April 2022, fitting 338 glass panels to create its eye-catching windows and installing 1,357 individual rainscreen cladding panels on its facade.
Young scientists from Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School participated in pathology experiments alongside the trust’s staff as part of the project’s wider community engagement programme
Under one roof
The laboratory is a flagship project within the Leeds Teaching Hospital’s ‘Building the Leeds Way’ capital investment and improvement programme.
Currently, most of the trust’s pathology services are delivered from outdated facilities in the Old Medical School at the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) as well as from St James’s Hospital.
The new building will bring many of these services together into one purpose-built facility and, once vacated, the Old Medical School will be repurposed as part of a plan to use surplus estate at the LGI to develop an innovation village, which is expected to deliver up to 4,000 new jobs, more than 500 new homes, and almost £13billion in net present value.
Dame Linda Pollard, chairman of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is a landmark occasion for Leeds Teaching Hospitals and is the fruition of months of hard work from our staff and partners.
“Pathology plays a crucial role in the delivery of frontline care, and I am excited to see how, together with our colleagues in Calderdale and Mid Yorkshire, we can really drive innovative diagnostic testing across West Yorkshire.”
- Companies:
- Siemens
- Mid Yorkshire Hospitals
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
- CliniSys
- BAM Construction
