The Western Cape Minister of Health, Pierre Uys, and the CEO of theNational Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), John Robertson, officiallyopened a new R5 million state-of-the-art consolidated laboratory serviceat the Groote Schuur Hospital on 11 November 2004.

Previously, the Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) and University of CapeTown (UCT) laboratory complex at the hospital consisted of a number oflaboratories located on multiple floors and in multiple buildingsexceeded 3000 m2 of floor space. This situation was not conducive toeffective management and support - and required expensive duplication ofstaff, equipment and other infrastructure. The new GSH ServiceLaboratory consolidates the automated and manual functions of chemicalpathology, endocrinology, immunology, haematology and serology into asingle laboratory with a saving of more than 2000m2 in floor space.

At the launch, Minister Uys said that his Department is the NHLS'sbiggest client in the Province. "Our expenditure for laboratoryservices from the NHLS for the 2004/05 financial year is projected to beapproximately R191 million. Of this R103 million will be spent by thethree central hospitals (GSH, Red Cross and Tygerberg), R57 million bythe regional hospitals and R 31 million by the district health careservice. This adds up to about 60% of the NHLS's budget in the Westernand Eastern Cape."

"In this regard it is important that my Department ensures that thereis an ongoing commitment by NHLS to provide an affordable cost effectivelaboratory service available to all levels of health care throughout ourprovince. I believe that the type of consolidation of laboratoryservice that we are witnessing today will help in this regard. Ofcourse, at the same time we must continue to ensure that the quality ofservice provided measures up to both national and internationalstandards," said Mr Uys.

The newly Consolidated Service Laboratory at GSH will serve as a pilotproject for setting up other similar laboratories in future and offersthe following benefits to the community it serves:

• Pathology laboratories need to provide a fast Turn-Around-Time(TAT) to assist with the effective diagnosis and treatment of patients. Close proximity to outpatients' wards, ICU's and trauma units requireless logistics and consequently result in shorter TAT and therefore abetter service.
• Pathology laboratories (read pathologists, medical technologistsand other laboratory professionals) will be in "closer" contact withtheir clients and patients, thereby increasing the effectiveness andefficiency of the clinical service.
• The safety of staff has become a serious concern that is closelyrelated to the isolated location of many existing laboratories. Sincelaboratories operate on a 24-hour basis, being in the hospital willprovide a safer working environment for the staff and will undoubtedlylead to an increase in staff morale.
• The increased (and future anticipated increase) use of publichospital facilities by private patients will definitely lead toincreased service expectations with regard to availability of variouspathology services.

NHLS, who runs the GSH laboratory as well as those at the Tygerberg,Red Cross Hospitals together with 13 regional laboratories in theWestern Cape, came into existence as a result of the NHLS Act (Act 37 of2000) and is the preferred provider of laboratory services to theProvincial Department of Health. The working relationship between theHealth Department and NHLS is governed by a Service Level Agreement.

Contact: Pierre Uys: 082 455 5144
Media liaison: Herman van der Westhuizen: 082 772 9161