A single pathology service for mid and south Essex is confirmed
The Trust has now signed a 15-year contract with SYNLAB, one of the UK’s leading laboratory diagnostics providers, to provide a unified pathology service for mid and south Essex.
The new contract, which comes into effect in October 2026, will bring together pathology services that support clinicians at Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals, as well as local GPs. It will support testing for blood, tissue and other samples, and include phlebotomy clinics, covering a population of around 1.2million people.
The service will be using a ‘hub and spoke’ model, which means most routine and specialist tests will be done in high-capacity labs (the hubs), while modernised labs at each hospital (the spokes) will focus on urgent and inpatient care.
The model was clinically tried and tested and will help speed up test results, free up space in hospitals for other services, and offer new opportunities for staff training and innovation. It also aims to make the service future-proof and better able to meet the needs of the area’s growing population.
As part of the deal, SYNLAB will invest in new facilities, equipment and technology, and has committed to keeping both services and staff based within mid and south Essex.
The announcement follows a detailed procurement process and extensive engagement with staff, unions, patients and local healthcare partners. The current providers, Pathology First in south Essex and the Trust’s in-house team in mid Essex, will continue delivering services until the transition takes place in October 2026.
Dr Peter Davis, Consultant Histopathologist and Clinical Director for Pathology at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“There have been months of clinical engagement with staff across pathology, GPs and patient representatives to put a service together that meets the needs of our clinical teams and that of our patients. We see this as a positive step forward in what has been a long and carefully considered procurement process. The national approval of this pathology contract means we can now move forward in providing a single service.”
Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This marks a new and improved pathology journey for our patients, staff and local community. Having one provider for the whole of mid and south Essex will make delivery of pathology services more efficient and smoother. SYNLAB will invest in the very latest technology and equipment that will speed up access to results and focus on a digital first approach, which is very much in line with the Trust’s strategy. There will be further investment in improving laboratories, providing modern facilities that staff feel proud to work in. We can now begin to make the arrangements to transfer to the new provider in Autumn 2026.”
Mark Dollar, CEO of SYNLAB UK & Ireland, said: "We are very proud to have such an integral role in shaping the future of pathology services in mid and south Essex. We know how vital fast, accurate diagnostics are to patient care, and we are committed to working closely with the Trust to deliver a high-quality, reliable service.
“Having served south Essex for the past 10 years, we understand the needs of, and have existing ties with, the area. The service will continue to be clinically led by the Trust, who can count on our experience and investment in modern facilities, the latest technology, and, most importantly, our people. We want to create a service that is fit for the future and gives staff the tools and environment to do what they do best — making a positive difference to people’s lives, health and wellbeing.”