Cervical Cytology Laboratory review - Steering Group
Tuesday 23 February 2010
2pm to 4pm
Attendees
John Burns, NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Jennifer Armstrong, Scottish Government
Derek Bishop, Scottish Pathology Network, NHS Tayside
Margaret Burgoyne NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Diane Dempster, Scottish Government (Secretariat)
Tracy McKen, Scottish Government
Fergus Millan, Scottish Government
Karen Pirrie, Tribal Consulting Group
Allan Wilson, NHS Lanarkshire
Emilia Crighton NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
1.
Welcome and Apologies
Apologies were received from Joceyln Imrie, Ian Forbes, Mike Winters, Isabel
Gavin, Aileen Keel and Nial Thomson. The group were informed that
Margaret Burgoyne had been delayed.
The Chair informed the group know that the main point of this meeting was to
get a firm recommendation around the Consortia model with the aim to take
it to the May meeting of the Chief Executives group.
2.
Minutes of the previous meeting - 13 January 2010
The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.
Options Appraisal – Costing Analysis Summary Paper
3.

Updates
KP presented data on the proposed consortia models and how
Image Assisted Screening if adopted would look.
This was based on 2 iterations of data collected from the labs by Tribal.
Baseline figures for 2010/11 estimated at 415K slides. It was agreed the
productivity for Image Assisted Screening should be planned around all labs
reaching the upper quartile of 18 slides/hour. KP explained that the national
baseline rate for manual screening of 7 slides/hour is lower than in the
feasibility study. This is due to adjustments for holidays etc and is estimated
at 13% downtime.

Based on 6 Imagers on a reducing scale proportion to demand

Larger Consortia make up rather than 11 lab delivery
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If this was the case then Image Assisted Screening could be cost neutral
within 5 years.
Risks

The cost/benefit is not achieved.

Low uptake from NHS boards would affect cost per test

How achievable is 18 slides/hour?

Long term funding changes given the fiscal situation.

The savings required are calculated on normal
retirement profiles which may change.

Networks/Consortia accepting responsibility for man
power planning and introduction.
Outcomes
Review Group accepted the need to move to a Consortia model whether
Image Assisted Screening adopted or not.
Further information and clarity required around Image Assisted Screening
risks.
Cost of £25kpa for a sessional Clinical Lead & Manager for 2 years was
agreed. This would be funded from the Health Directorate.
A paper to be taken to the CE meeting in May around the redesign of the
service to a new Consortia model.

AOB
There was no other business

Date of next meeting
No date was arranged
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