A whole-workforce approach to pathology transformation
The Association for Laboratory Medicine (LabMed) welcomes the publication of the Pathology Transformation Review 2026 (https://pathologytransformation.org/) and thanks the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) for commissioning it and highlighting the needs of Laboratory Medicine across the United Kingdom. We support evidence-based work that identifies where investment is needed to help the profession continue to deliver safe, efficient and effective services for our patients.
Pathology sits at the centre of almost every part of the patient pathway - diagnosis, cancer care, urgent and emergency care, infection management, elective recovery, screening and the monitoring of long-term conditions all depend on it. LabMed agrees with the report's recognition that pathology cannot continue to be treated as a background service: it is core clinical infrastructure and needs to be planned, funded and supported as such, including through sustained investment in the workforce that delivers it.
Pathology services in the UK are delivered by several professional groups working together, requiring close cooperation and co-production to provide a patient-focussed service. Whilst the report focuses mainly on the Biomedical Science workforce who are represented by the IBMS, we will review the recommendations and ensure they link with the strategies and long-term plans of LabMed and the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath).
It is essential that the full contribution of the pathology workforce - Clinical Scientists, Medical Staff, Biomedical Scientists and the wider support workforce - is recognised and, more importantly, unlocked. This is the workforce that will deliver the scientific leadership, service redesign and innovation that transformation depends on.
We look forward to working with the UK Government and the Governments and Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help develop a Pathology Service that is fit for the future, with a robust infrastructure, strong scientific and clinical leadership and patients at the heart of the process.