$47 million, 11-year investment in Australia-first Laboratory Information System
Streamlines pathology and genetic testing, tracking, analysis and research
Patients, clinicians, law enforcement and commerce to benefit
Positive spinoffs for WA's nation-leading Undiagnosed Diseases Program
The Liberal National Government has committed $47 million to a Laboratory Information System (LIS) for the State's pathology provider, the first in Australia, which promises patients faster diagnosis.
Announcing the long-term contract award today, Health Minister John Day said the LIS would provide an important boost for PathWest's State-wide network, to meet the rising demand for pathology testing.
"This is an investment in the future of pathology and medicine in Western Australia," he said.
"The system has been proven at major North American institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and will help streamline testing, tracking, analysis and research and keep WA at the forefront, especially in the field of genetics.
"WA's four separate genetics databases will be united in the LIS and, combined with the automation of much genetic testing, will ensure patients receive their results faster, and that appropriate medical treatment can commence earlier.
"It will also have positive spin-offs for our nation-leading Undiagnosed Diseases Program, launched early last year."
Mr Day today met 15-year-old Logan Bayley, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare condition that was confirmed by genetic testing when he was five years old.
"Logan's parents had to wait almost two months for diagnosis, a time they describe as among the most stressful of their lives," he said.
"Advances in technology, including the new LIS, are set to make a significant difference for WA families like the Bayleys."
The Laboratory Information System will integrate all areas of diagnostic testing, including microbiology and toxicology testing, promising benefits for all of WA Health's hospitals and facilities that are served by PathWest; as well as the WA Coroner, WA Police and commercial clients, through more accurate specimen tracking and quicker turnarounds of diagnostic results from the entire PathWest network.
"This is the latest technological advance in the Liberal National Government's unprecedented rebuilding of the WA health system," the Minister said.
"The new LIS will be rolled out across PathWest's 56 collection centres, 23 branch laboratories and five teaching hospital laboratories, providing a seamless pathology data connection across the State."
The Laboratory Information System is scheduled to go live in May 2018.
Fact File
The Laboratory Information System will support PathWest in the delivery of anatomical and forensic pathology, transfusion medicine, haematology, diagnostic genomics, microbiology, immunology, and clinical biochemistry reporting
LIS supplier is SCC Soft Computer, one of the world's biggest programming houses
The LIS contract is valued at $47 million over 11 years (five years plus two three-year renewal options)
A competitive tender process was undertaken, with continuing stringent contract management to ensure value for money and high performance
Minister's office - 6552 6200
