Labtests backs off collections from GP

Labtests Auckland has given up its controversial plan for a big increase in the collection of blood samples at GP clinics.

Instead it has reverted to the existing model used by Diagnostic Medlab (DML) of most samples being taken at the community laboratory service's collection rooms - with no change in the contract price of $66.9 million in the first year.

GPs who had expressed opposition to Labtests' first plan are relieved the company has backtracked. But they are still anxious, despite assurances, whether the new company can maintain test turnaround times and access to pathologists to discuss results.

Labtests is scheduled to start community lab services on September 7 - the day after DML's contract ends - after winning the contract from Auckland's three district health boards.

The DHBs have said the company planned to have a similar number of collection room staff to DML. DML has the equivalent of 225 fulltimers. In 2006, Labtests said it planned to have 161. DML has 80 collection rooms. Labtests plans to have 53 and most are planned to open earlier than DML's.

The DHB official overseeing the laboratory transition, Tim Wood, said yesterday: "The model now is less reliant on GP collection and more on collection centres."

The College of GPs and the Medical Association say this is a good move - but both still have big concerns about the transition and the new service.

The DHBs say Labtests is required under its contract to ensure that all Greater Auckland patients have easy access to collection centres, whose sites are not yet decided; that referring doctors must receive results in a "timely manner"; and that doctors must have "appropriate access" to Labtests' pathologists.

Mr Wood said the DHBs had set up two advisory panels to oversee the transition and ensure Labtests met its milestones and the contract's specifications. It was hoped some of the work and staff who chose to move could shift before September 7 in gradual transition with the co-operation of DML. DML has refused to participate in what it considers would be helping a competitor - following a request by the DHBs for it to release staff for tours of Labtests.

The DHBs say DML has acknowledged contractually its co-operation is vital to a smooth transition and has agreed to work in good faith over this.

If gaps in service coverage emerge during the transition, the DHBs say, their own laboratories could perform some community testing, and Labtests' sister laboratories in Melbourne and elsewhere in New Zealand could provide temporary staff.

THE TIMETABLE

* Labtests Auckland is currently hiring senior staff.
* It plans to have its laboratory equipment in place at its Mt Wellington facility by next month.
* Diagnostic Medlab's contract ends on Sunday September 6.
* Labtests' contract starts on September 7.