Commenting on the publication of the NHS Next Stage Review, BIVDA Director General Doris-Ann Williams said:
“BIVDA welcomes today’s publication of the NHS Next Stage Review and launch of the consultation on the NHS Constitution. Diagnostic testing has a significant role to play in preventing ill health, so we welcome the Government’s focus in the Review on helping people to stay healthy and to improve access to health checks and point of care testing in more convenient locations.
“The introduction of increased measures to support patients with long-term conditions will also be beneficial. Diagnostics have a vital role in ensuring that patients are more in control of their health and the constitution and introduction of individual care plans will increase patients’ understanding of the services and care they can expect.
“We welcome the introduction of locally-commissioned wellbeing and prevention services, so that the specific health needs of communities can be addressed. Together with access to diagnostics in a broader range of settings, such as pharmacy and workplaces, there will be greater opportunities to test for a range of preventable health conditions, and so reduce ill health and costs to the NHS. “ |