• Royal Bolton Hospital has launched new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Multi-million pound investment ensures more efficient and productive process for test results
• Major upgrade involved collaboration across Trust teams, Primary Care and national laboratories

Royal Bolton Hospital has launched a major new system in its laboratories to make it easier for clinicians to process millions of patient test results.

More than 8 million tests are carried out in the hospital’s laboratories every year to support diagnosis, treatment and management for a wide range of conditions.

The multi-million pound investment in a new Laboratory Information Management System (LMS), supplied by Clinysis, will ensure for a more efficient and productive process now and for years to come.

Bolton is the first Trust to go live with the full system in Greater Manchester, following four years of planning and preparation to replace the previous system which was more than 30 years old.

Dr. Francis Andrews, Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

This is a really big step forward in how we manage and process information in our laboratories by improving quality, productivity and access to tests results for both our clinicians and patients.

“Investing in technology for real-time access will mean a quicker diagnosis for patients, allowing them to get the treatment they need as soon as possible.

From conception to implementation, the major upgrade involved significant collaboration between the Trust’s laboratories, Digital team, as well as with Bolton’s GPs, Primary Care and laboratories across the country to share learning and minimise disruptions.

Lewis Hurley, Laboratory Medicine Service Manager at the Trust, said:

A remarkable amount of work over the past few years has taken place behind the scenes which has allowed us to reach this significant milestone.

“This new and modern system puts us in a really strong position for years to come and marks a big step forward in the quality of testing and clinical safety.

“Diagnoses play a huge part in a patient’s journey, so access to real-time results and being able to make informed decisions faster will make a big difference in improving health outcomes for communities in Bolton.

The collaboration between the Trust and GP surgeries will continue over the coming weeks as the new working processes are embedded.

Phil Henry, Operational Business Manager at the Trust, said:

The success of the LIMS upgrade is a testament to the many months of planning and testing from our teams and the ongoing support from local GPs.

“The level of engagement and support from practices throughout the testing phase has been exceptional. Their participation in the early testing allowed us to receive constructive feedback that helped refine the way tests are presented, ultimately making it easier for clinicians to navigate and select the appropriate options.

“Following the go-live, practices and GPs continue to play an active role in identifying and resolving minor issues. Their willingness to collaborate directly with our digital facilitators and project team has ensured rapid resolutions and a smooth transition. Their contribution has been invaluable to the success of the implementation.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is part of the Greater Manchester Pathology Network, which serves nearly three million people across seven NHS trusts and collectively conducts more than 71 million tests every year.

The collaboration within the Greater Manchester Pathology Network has enabled a standardised system to be developed at Bolton, Tameside, Stockport and Northern Care Alliance (NCA).