PHLS (Public Health Laboratory Service): UK labs ready for reform?:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The UK's Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has renewed calls to ensure that the reform of the network of NHS laboratories does not weaken its current high surveillance potential. "As we move into the new Health Protection Agency next year, we must ensure that the mechanisms are in place to secure continuing high quality surveillance data," said PHLS director Professor Brian Duerden at the PHLS' 27th Scientific Conference, being held this week at Warwick University. The conference is also addressing, he said, the other challenges facing the service, such as how to improve prevention and increase access to sexual health services. The PHLS recently reported a significant increase in STDs, to which the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association responded with a call for increased access to point-of-care testing (see Clinica No 1023, p 7).