Nationwide implementation of Clinisys WinPath concludes in Northern Ireland
In a significant stride towards modernising pathology services, Northern Ireland has successfully implemented the Clinisys WinPath laboratory information management system (LIMS) across all health and social care trusts. This milestone marks the creation of a truly connected and consistent pathology service throughout the region.
The new system, replacing legacy systems that were up to 30 years old, brings about vast improvements in technology infrastructure and reliability in pathology labs. The unified system, known as CoreLIMS, is deployed across microbiology, blood sciences, blood transfusion, and cellular pathology, providing a comprehensive technology platform for diverse laboratory functions.
The Western and Southern trusts, previously using a 30-year-old system developed by the Business Services Organisation (BSO), have also been integrated into the new system. The implementation has resulted in streamlined workflows across all services, including transfusion.
The smooth final go-lives are attributed to the early standardisation and harmonisation of tests and workflows, as well as the resilience, professionalism, and collaboration of all involved. The successful implementation of CoreLIMS opens the door for future enhancements in managing and delivering vital blood components across Northern Ireland.
Jennifer Welsh, SRO of the Northern Ireland Pathology Information Management System (NIPIMS), announced the completion of the CoreLIMS roll-out. The deployment model has been adapted in response to lessons learned, with staff from live labs advising and supporting their colleagues.
Robin Bell, senior project manager at Clinisys, praised the BSO and laboratory staff across Northern Ireland for their work in testing and assuring the new system. Karen Bailey, CEO of the BSO, is proud of the achievement in laboratory digital transformation.
The CoreLIMS implementation includes integration with the encompass system, creating a single, digital health record for every citizen in Northern Ireland. The migration of the blood transfusion service and other specialties onto Clinisys WinPath aims to unify and standardize technology platforms across pathology services.
The Northern Ireland Pathology Transformation programme, which aims to create an integrated, regional laboratory service, has been significantly advanced by the successful roll-out of CoreLIMS. The new system fosters better collaboration between laboratories and health trusts while placing patients at the centre of service delivery.
Overall, the system adoption represents a significant step forward in modernising pathology services in Northern Ireland, leading to a connected, efficient, and higher-quality laboratory service environment that benefits patients and healthcare providers alike.
Medical plastics and technology are integral components of the new CoreLIMS system, which has been sculpted to support diverse laboratory functions, including microbiology, blood sciences, blood transfusion, and cellular pathology. The implementation of this unified platform is paving the way for digital health advancements and improvements in health-and-wellness, by fostering a connected and consistent pathology service throughout Northern Ireland.
