The Power of Testing

The Association for Laboratory Medicine supports new report calling for prioritisation of in vitro diagnostics

We are proud to support The Power of Testing, a new report highlighting the urgent need to prioritise investment in in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) across the NHS. Developed by Roche Diagnostics in partnership with the Institute of Biomedical Science and supported by the Royal College of Pathologists, the report builds on the Government’s NHS 10 Year Plan and shows how IVDs can transform patient care, efficiency, and system sustainability.

Despite underpinning more than 70% of clinical decisions in the NHS, IVDs currently receive less than 1% of funding. This mismatch, the report argues, prevents diagnostics from reaching their full potential to support earlier diagnosis, personalised treatment, and prevention-first, community-based care. By combining sufficient investment in IVDs with the expertise of the biomedical workforce, healthcare leaders could drive improvements in outcomes while also strengthening economic productivity.

Our members contributed their experiences to the survey that informed this report, providing real-world evidence of how IVDs are already delivering impact across the health service. Examples include rapid infection testing that has supported faster interventions and improved hospital bed management, as well as screening pathways that have dramatically reduced waiting times for heart failure diagnosis. These case studies show the scale of change possible if diagnostics are properly prioritised.

The Association for Laboratory Medicine joins its partners in calling for equitable funding for diagnostics, investment in the biomedical workforce, and national leadership to embed IVDs into NHS planning. As an organisation representing professionals who use diagnostics every day, we will continue to advocate for the recognition, resources, and innovation needed to unlock the full power of testing.

The Power of Testing