Lab Tests Online UK was formally launched on Wednesday June 16 in the prestigious surroundings of the Cathedral Room in Richmond House, Whitehall - the Department of Health's offices. Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State at the Department, performed the official launch ceremony and was quoted as saying that "Lab Tests Online provides a fantastic means of communicating with people and will play an important role in health service modernisation leading to a patient experience as it should be in the 21st century." Mike Hallworth, chairman of Lab Tests Online UK gave a brief outline of the contents of this exciting new resource, and Lynn Faulds Wood, GMTV presenter, founder of the Bowel Cancer campaign charity and Chair of the European Cancer Patient Coalition spoke of the benefits to patients of accurate information about laboratory tests. This was made particularly topical by the fact that Coronation Street on June 16 featured a character who had just discovered he had suspected bowel cancer on the basis of lab tests! The launch was also attended by the Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Sue Hill, who described the site as "a tremendous resource for patients and healthcare professionals alike and will help lower the barriers between the patient and the professional”. Other senior figures from the Department of Health were also present, as well as Stephen Thornton, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, who generously funded the Lab Tests Online site, together with Professor Sir John Lilleyman, Medical Director of the National Patient Safety Agency and representatives from various patients' organisations. The professionals who carry out the testing in laboratories were represented by Janet Smith, chair of the Association of Clinical Biochemists, Professor James Underwood, President of the Royal College of Pathologists and Eddie Welsh, President of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences. So now we're officially launched! - we hope you find the site useful and would be grateful for any comments “Patients love to know what is being done to them and they have a right to know. Lab Tests Online is a great way to find out”
Lynn Faulds Wood