New Pathways Laboratory Provides Diagnostic Services in WA

The new Pathways Laboratory at Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre will be Western Australia's hub for diagnostic services, providing advanced testing 24 hours a dya.

The state of the art laboratory was opened by Health Minister Kim Hames and is equipped with new and exciting developments in pathology services.

“The facility includes a FlexLab automated tube handler, with high level laboratory automation, which is expected  to increase the volume of testing by eight per cent annually and free up staff for more highly-specialised testing areas,” Mr Hames said.

“It also brings State-wide Clinical Genetics diagnostic services into a single laboratory for greater efficiency in screening and diagnosing conditions such as breast cancer and duchenne muscular dystrophy. “In addition, the lab includes expanded state-of-the-art high physical containment facilities for the investigation of high-risk infectious diseases for patients across Western Australia.”

Dr Hames said the laboratory’s design would enable all pathology disciplines to manage the expected workload increase over the next decade in line with population growth.

“When the new children’s hospital is completed, this facility will also accommodate paediatric pathology including newborn screening and metabolic disorders, and will also provide services and support for the PathWest laboratory at King Edward Memorial Hospital,” he said.

“The lab will also facilitate the ongoing research activities that are carried out in collaboration with tertiary institutions such as UWA and other national and international organisations.”