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Nostalgia or a reality check for the IVD industry: a brief history of change

As we move through yet more amalgamation, consolidation, change – call it what you will – a time for reflection and prediction is always worthwhile. Here, Mark Reed offers a brief history of change.

As NHS Improvement (NHSI) gains momentum for what will undoubtable be the biggest change we have all seen to the delivery of pathology services in the UK, we also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, and cannot escape the impending changes we will all see with Brexit. Rather than dwell on the political uncertainty that this is causing and will continue to cause, let’s look back for a short time at where the NHS came from and why.

Creation

The NHS wasn’t formed in anything that we could consider a short period, nothing ever is. Discussions took place for almost a century before something was actually done to meet a long-recognised need of a population that has of course increased over the years. With life expectancy now 10 years longer than it was around 50 years ago the burden on the service is great. Longer stays in hospital are required, longer-term illnesses require management, staff need more continual development training and we need more of them with their increasing skills.

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Upcoming Events

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Participants’ Meeting: UK NEQAS Immunology, Immunochemistry & Allergy

Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield
24th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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