The Nuffield Trust, in partnership with the Association of Independent Pathology Providers, hosted a ‘Future of Pathology’ event to explore how pathology is changing and what the future of laboratory medicine might be over the next 5-10 years. The event contributed to a broader project being undertaken by the Nuffield Trust alongside NHS England and the Royal College of Pathologists which focused on the following questions:
- Where are we with the rationalisation of pathology services and where is this going?
- How will changes in technology and the growth of ‘omics’ change laboratory services in the next 10 years?
- What are the implications of these changes for the wider system and how clinicians will practise?
- Are there workforce or other implications that arise from this?
As well as the opportunity to share intelligence at the event, interviews with experts and a high level review of current literature have been conducted. A short report was produced following the event.