Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that pathology test results can be transferred electronically between NHS pathology providers and GP practices that use different laboratory information management systems.

Historically, each National Health Service trust has had a separate Laboratory Information and Management System (LIMS), which precludes the seamless digital sharing of pathology results and reports between trusts.

NHS England has provided funding and expertise to support each of the 27 pathology networks in England to build interoperable LIMS platforms across their member trusts. This will allow each trust in a pathology network to share the results and reports with all other trusts in that network. To date, 12 of the 27 networks have delivered this capability, with a further eight networks expected to reach that point by March 2027. NHS England is now commencing work on a National Pathology Platform, which will seek to allow pathology results to be shared between all trusts in England by March 2029.

NHS England is also supporting the transition from legacy pathology messaging standards to a new, modernised set of national standards to enable the seamless electronic transfer of test results between NHS pathology providers and general practices, regardless of the LIMS in use.

This programme is focused on developing and validating consistent messaging formats and data structures that improve interoperability, reduce reliance on manual processes, and minimise the risk of errors or delays in reporting. The work also recognises the need to extend and mature these standards to ensure they comprehensively cover all pathology specialities, supporting both test requesting and results reporting across all care settings. These standards will not only improve timeliness, accuracy, and continuity of care, but also provide the foundation for integration with wider diagnostic services, including genomics and blood and transplant systems. In doing so, they support more joined-up clinical pathways and underpin the longer-term ambition of integrated care and a single patient record across the NHS.