Terms of reference National Pathology and
Laboratory Round Table
Name
National Pathology and Laboratory Round Table (the Round Table).
Context
Laboratory testing plays a critical role in clinical decision making providing clinicians
with information that supports and expedites diagnosis and treatment. Laboratory
tests also underpin disease screening for risk factors, determination of disease
severity, recovery likelihood, therapeutic selection, monitoring and investigation of
adverse outcomes. At the population health level clinical laboratories are critical in
the identification of hospital acquired infections, identifying antimicrobial resistance
patterns, and in the control of infectious disease outbreaks and exposures to toxic
substances.
Pathology and Laboratory services are involved at multiple stages of the patient
pathway and cross community, primary, secondary and tertiary service boundaries. It
is generally accepted that approximately 70% of diagnoses rely on output from
Pathology or Laboratory services1.
The Ministry of Health established the Round Table in 2011 to engage sector leaders
in response to the Ministerial Review Group report that noted that that service
access for laboratory services was inconsistent both in terms of the range of services
available and the cost of services to consumers. They recommended that the
Ministry of Health review the arrangements for planning, funding and provision of
national, regional and local laboratory services with a view to determining the optimal
planning, funding, and service configuration arrangements for New Zealand.
In 2014 the Round Table was established as a clinical committee reporting to the
Director General of Health.
Purpose
The purpose of the Round Table is to provide national leadership and independent
advice to the Director General of Health on clinical, scientific and strategic aspects of
the Pathology and Laboratory sector. Including but not limited to:
1
UK Department of Health (2010) Report of the Second Phase of the Independent Review of NHS Pathology
Services in England. Chaired by Lord Carter of Coles. An Independent Review for the Department of Health
1
Pathology and Laboratory Round Table Terms of Reference Final – December 2014
 using laboratory information to support the efficient planning and commissioning
of health services for populations
 informing investment in new health technology and procedures
 the protection of society from harm associated with communicable diseases
 the early detection and screening of disease
 ensuring that systems, processes and practices are in place to provide assurance
to the health service about the quality of laboratory and pathology services and
information.
To achieve this purpose the Round Table and its members will:
 develop a strategic framework and associated annual workplan that is adaptive
and responsive to the changing needs of the health sector
 determine key priorities for the Round Table
 support any subcommittees in implementation agreed recommendations resulting
from the workplan
 establish links across the sector and other agencies
 appropriately guide the introduction and adoption of new technologies
 monitor local and overseas developments related the Pathology and Laboratory
sector and provide advice on the implications for New Zealand
 oversee the function of any subgroups established by the Round Table
 respond to questions and requests from the Director General of Health
 make recommendations concerning the establishment of limited life subgroups to
the Director General of Health.
Accountability
The Round Table is accountable to the Director General of Health through the Chair
and is expected to:

provide regular update to the Director General of Health through the Chair

respond to requests for information and advice within the required timeframes.
Membership
Membership is made up of interested sector leaders, National Health Board staff and
stakeholders from the Pathology and Laboratory sector.
Membership is for three years, with the option of reappointment after this time by the
Director General of Health through the Chair. The Director General of Health may
remove a member from office before the end of the term of appointment. Round
Table members may also resign at any stage during their term by notice in writing to
the Chair.
Chairperson
The Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health will chair the meeting. All meetings
must be presided over by a chairperson. In the event of the chairperson being
2
Pathology and Laboratory Round Table Terms of Reference Final – December 2014
absent, a Round Table member shall be elected as acting chairperson by those
members present.
Working arrangements
The Round Table will meet three times per year. If important matters require
consideration outside of this schedule, extraordinary meetings may be held if
requested by the Director General of Health.
At every meeting of the Round Table ten members, including the chairperson, shall
form a quorum. The Round Table will make decisions by consensus where possible.
Before the meeting, the Round Table must be satisfied that members with the
appropriate knowledge /expertise will be in attendance. The secretariat will make all
attempts to ensure meetings include as many members as possible and, prior to
each meeting inform the Round Table which members are not able to attend. The
Chairperson will decide on whether or not to cancel or postpone a meeting.
The Ministry of Health will provide a secretariat function for the Round Table.
Conflicts of interest protocol
Members shall abide by the Conflict of Interest Protocol for the Ministry of Health
Statutory bodies and Other Committees.
Members should document their conflicts of interests and identify any conflict of
interest prior to a discussion of a particular issue. The Round Table can ask a
member to withdraw or limit participation in the event that the member has a conflict
of interest.
Confidentiality
In carrying out its remit the Round Table:
 shall not disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of the
Round Table activities without the approval of the Director General of Health
 No member of the Round Table shall make media statements of any kind on
behalf of the Round Table unless requested to do so by the Director General of
Health
Review of Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference and membership of the action group will be reviewed
annually.
3
Pathology and Laboratory Round Table Terms of Reference Final – December 2014