Internal Reference Number: FOI_8315
Date Request Received: 28/11/2024 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 21/01/2025 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: Wet Specimen Outsourcing
Request Category: Private Individuals
Question Number 1: Does the trust/UHB outsource wet surgical specimens? | |
Answer To Question 1: Yes | |
Question Number 2: If so, how many specimens are outsourced per annum? | |
Answer To Question 2: 70 | |
Question Number 3: What is the subspecialty of the outsourced specimens? E.g. Skin, Endoscopy etc. Please breakdown if possible. | |
Answer To Question 3: Breast and Gynae | |
Question Number 4: How much does the trust/UHB spend per annum on outsourced wet specimen processing? Please breakdown for the fiscal years 21/22, 22/23, 23/24. | |
Answer To Question 4: The Trust do not have the data in enough detail to answer this question. | |
Question Number 5: Does the trust report in house on wet processed specimens or is this done externally? | |
Answer To Question 5: The external company dissects and reports the specimens. | |
Question Number 6: Which organisation(s) does the trust outsource the wet specimen processing to? | |
Answer To Question 6: Poundbury | |
Question Number 7: Does the trust/UHB outsource blocks for processing? | |
Answer To Question 7: No | |
Question Number 8: How much does the trust spend per annum on outsourced block specimen processing? Please breakdown for the fiscal years 21/22, 22/23, 23/24. | |
Answer To Question 8: N/A | |
Question Number 9: Is there a backlog of unreported specimens with the trust/UHB? If so, for how many patients total? | |
Answer To Question 9: No | |
Question Number 10: What are the current turnaround times (TAT) for the processing of wet specimens within the trust/UHB? | |
Answer To Question 10: Unable to respond due to no response to email query sent to requestor on 13th December 2024. | |
Question Number 11: Does the trust outsource for tissue staining? | |
Answer To Question 11: No | |
Question Number 12: How much does the trust/UHB spend on outsourced staining per annum? Please breakdown for the fiscal years 21/22, 22/23, 23/24. | |
Answer To Question 12: N/A | |
Question Number 13: What is the current TA for wet reporting externally? | |
Answer To Question 13: 10-14 days | |
Question Number 14: Does the trust/UHB have a minimum contracted volume with outsourcers? | |
Answer To Question 14: No | |
Question Number 15: What is the min, mean, and max cost for wet work alone? | |
Answer To Question 15: N/A | |
Question Number 16: What is the cost for professional external reporting? | |
Answer To Question 16: About £500K a year | |
Question Number 17: How many cases are reported by the trust annually? | |
Answer To Question 17: 18000 | |
Question Number 18: What percentage is outsourced for professional work? | |
Answer To Question 18: 30% | |
Question Number 19: What percentage is outsourced for technical work? | |
Answer To Question 19: 0% lab work | |
Question Number 20: How many pathologists does the trust/UHB employ? | |
Answer To Question 20: 4.5 | |
Question Number 21: How many cases on average does a single pathologist report annually? | |
Answer To Question 21: Unsure, work is done on points, so case numbers are not a valid measure. | |
Question Number 22: Does the trust/UHB have a digital slide scanner? | |
Answer To Question 22: Yes | |
Question Number 23: If so, who is the manufacturer of the scanner? e.g. Phillips, Leica etc. | |
Answer To Question 23: 3DHISTEC | |
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Our staff at SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.