CAMPAIGNERS fear plans to create a multi-million pound pathology service will lead to ‘delays’ in patients receiving vital blood test results.

Lancashire and South Cumbria will receive funding to support a £31million scheme to create a single pathology diagnostic service, which would be based at Lancaster University.

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust and other trusts in Lancashire would be part of the service, which would aim to ‘centralise’ non-urgent analysis but retain urgent pathology services in every trust, including those at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals.

The services deal with things such as important blood samples sent from GPs, and unions and patients groups fear there could be delays in processing these samples if services were ‘centralised’.

David Wrigley, Lancashire’s representative on the British Medical Association, said: “As far as I can see, there’s been no consultation on these proposals, and no GP I know has been asked.

“I’d be concerned it may take longer for results of blood and urine samples to come back, meaning delays for patients. I’d also like to know who any contract will be given to.

“If it were to be given to a private company, I’d be concerned that they’d put profit before anything else.”

Russ McLean, East Lancashire’s patients champion, said: “My biggest fear would be, would there be any job losses through centralisation?

“Also, I’d be concerned that patients will have to wait longer for vital test results for cancer and diabetes, as blood samples get sent off to Lancaster or wherever.”

Jean Wright, programme director of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Pathology Partnership: “The preferred option for the services going forward retains urgent pathology services in every trust whilst centralising non-urgent analysis on the Lancaster University campus which will aid recruitment and retention of staff as well as develop research opportunities through the link with the university.

“Pathology is a largely non-patient facing service and is not expected to affect patient travel. We will be working closely with staff, staff representatives and trade unions as proposals are developed.”