Consultation on proposals for strengthening the Health Protection Agency Regional Microbiology Network Public Health Microbiology Services

About this consultation:

The Agency provides public health microbiology services from its Regional Laboratories and through a series of Collaborating Laboratories throughout England. The laboratories support public health investigations, surveillance, and research work undertaken for the NHS and Local Authorities.

The current provision of public health microbiology services are not universally accessible, are fragmented across England and delivered through a wide range of different providers with challenging priorities and pressures. This is in part due to the current service delivery model being based on historical locations many of which are commissioned from the NHS.

The Agency is therefore proposing to develop a modernised, network of regional laboratories with commissioned support from selected centres that will deliver a robust and resilient quality service to key stakeholders on a consistent basis.

The consultation paper highlights the background to why such change is needed and exploring the options for change.

We invite and welcome your responses to this consultation by 1 March 2010.

Strengthening HPA Regional Microbiology Network (PDF, 428 KB)

Deadline for responses: 1 March 2010 

Address for responses: rmnconsult@hpa.org.uk

16 June 2010: The results from this consultation are now available.

Strengthening Microbiology Services - consultation response (PDF, 61 KB)

Last reviewed: 18 June 2010