Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has completed its pathology system rollout, replacing laboratory software used for more than 30 years.
The trust has fully deployed Clinisys WinPath, a laboratory information management system, or LIMS, across its pathology services.
A LIMS manages laboratory workflows, test information and the reporting of results.
The final phase, covering blood transfusion and blood sciences, went live on 20 April 2026.
It followed the introduction of the system across microbiology and cellular pathology in September 2025.
The trust divided the rollout into two phases to reduce operational risk while maintaining high-demand diagnostic services.
Mark Gordon, associate divisional director for pathology at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We made the decision early on to split the go-live into two phases to ensure patient safety and reduce risk.
“Attempting a single implementation alongside other major changes, including analyser upgrades, would have been incredibly challenging.”
Stockport’s blood sciences laboratories process more than 9.2m tests each year.
Its pathology services also handle more than 500,000 microbiology tests, 140,000 cellular pathology slides across 21,500 cases and 71,000 transfusion tests annually.
The volume of work required extensive planning, testing and governance throughout the project.
A key part of the implementation was end-to-end testing and the transfer of around 30 years of blood transfusion data into the new system.
Large-scale data reviews and samples of individual cases were used to check the information for accuracy and compliance with ISO standards.
ISO standards set requirements for laboratory quality, safety and reliability.
The second phase, covering blood sciences, was the most complex part of the deployment, with around 31,000 tests processed each day.
The trust said the system performed as expected from the outset, with little disruption to laboratory services.
Gordon said: “The system went live remarkably smoothly.
“We had confidence going into the transition due to the level of testing undertaken, and that preparation really paid off.
“For a system handling this volume, minimal disruption is the best possible outcome, and we achieved this with only minor issues raised.”
The trust worked closely with local GP practices, which account for a significant share of demand for its pathology services.
Regular communication, early engagement and support for system changes included helping practices move to HL7 messaging.
HL7 is a technical standard that allows healthcare systems to exchange clinical information electronically.
The trust said feedback from GPs after the launch was overwhelmingly positive.
Only minor issues were reported, including changes to the formatting of results and the ordering of test parameters.
These were quickly resolved through communication between the trust, GP practices and Clinisys teams.
The deployment also forms part of the wider Greater Manchester LIMS programme.
The regional programme offers opportunities for shared learning, closer integration and the exchange of data between laboratory services.
Gordon said stronger standardisation and coordination would be needed during future phases.
Consistent test names and system configurations will be important to securing the full benefits of a connected regional diagnostics network.
Early indications suggest WinPath is supporting efficiency improvements, modernising laboratory operations and enabling reporting and analytics that were not possible through the previous system.
Staff adoption has progressed steadily, with initial resistance giving way to greater familiarity and recognition of the system’s benefits.
The project also highlighted the importance of resource planning.
Gordon said sufficient staffing, specialist expertise and dedicated project support were critical to a successful rollout.
He said: “This is a major organisational change. You need the right people, with the right expertise, and enough time allocated to the project from the outset.”
The trust now plans to continue improving its use of WinPath.
This will include exploring better sample tracking, expanded digital workflows and closer integration with other laboratories across Greater Manchester.
The trust will also continue developing its digital pathology capabilities.
Digital pathology involves capturing, managing and reviewing laboratory images electronically instead of relying solely on physical slides.
The trust said the system provides a platform for future changes across its laboratory services.
The programme also involved close collaboration between Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Clinisys.
The organisations said responsive support, joint problem-solving and communication helped them manage challenges during the transition.
Gordon said: “The way the teams worked together made a real difference.
“It was a complex project, but collaboration and communication ensured we achieved a positive outcome for the trust and, most importantly, for patient care.”
Jamie Stevens, senior project manager at Clinisys, said: “This was a significant project, with a new LIMS that was being conducted alongside other ambitious projects. It worked because it was a well-structured project, with excellent engagement and communications.
“Clinisys has delivered more than 56 go-lives in the last 12 months, but it was still a privilege to work in collaboration with a team that was so committed to delivering the best new technology to its laboratories, and to using it to benefit clinicians and patients.”
