Synnovis is part of SYNLAB, which operates other joint ventures in the UK – some of which have existing hub and spoke models, so we have plenty of experience.

The logistical changes will be handled by us, and we already have an established logistics provider who currently does all our primary care logistics. They pick up from 350 locations across the six London boroughs and bring those samples to us.

We are making the logistics solution as simple and error-proof as we possibly can. All routine samples that originate from the hospitals go to the hub first and, if they need to go somewhere else, then the hub repackages them and sends them back out, resulting in fewer spokes

If there is an urgent sample, we do have ad hoc urgent courier facilities if it's not appropriate to use the scheduled journeys through CSR. For example, to go directly to the Haemostasis laboratory at St Thomas.

The new model will still offer people to speak to.

Essential services laboratories (ESLs) is the term for the laboratories based at each hospital and they will deal with Blood Transfusion and fast turnaround samples. The people who staff them remain largely unchanged.

Using the example of infection: in the ESL, we have respiratory, the urgent respiratory, virology and blood culture facilities. Blood cultures will be loaded onto the culture machines in the ESL system when they flag as positive. The sample will be transferred to the hub to have the gram stain and the speciation done.

For the sites that are further away, such as the PRUH, molecular solution will do the speciation, because it's not practical.

We will be running monthly drop-in sessions for clinicians to join, and all updates will be shared via the In SYNc newsletters.

We are a completely open and learning organisation. If there are any issues, we will be open about it, address it with the right people and ensure the right solutions are in place. 

The 19 March webinar is available online here and will be shared via In SYNc newsletters.