Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Advances Pathology Transformation with Clinisys™ WinPath

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has successfully completed the full deployment of the Clinisys™ WinPath Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), marking a significant milestone in its ongoing digital transformation of pathology services. The final phase of the go-live, covering blood transfusion and laboratory medicine, was completed on 20 April 2026, following an earlier implementation across microbiology and anatomic pathology in September 2025.

The introduction of WinPath represents a generational upgrade for the Trust, replacing a legacy system that had been in use for over three decades. The phased approach to deployment was deliberately chosen to reduce operational risk while maintaining service continuity across high-demand diagnostic services.

Mark Gordon, Associate Divisional Director for Pathology at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the complexity and scale of the programme. “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 analyzer upgrades, would have been incredibly challenging,” he said.

The Trust’s pathology services operate at significant scale, processing more than 9.2 million tests annually in laboratory medicine alone, alongside over half a million microbiology tests, 140,000 anatomic pathology slides across 21,500 cases, and 71,000 transfusion tests. This level of activity required rigorous planning, extensive testing, and strong governance throughout the programme lifecycle.

A critical component of the project was comprehensive end-to-end testing, including the safe migration of approximately 30 years of transfusion data into the new system. Detailed validation processes were implemented, including large-scale data reviews and case sampling, ensuring accuracy and compliance with ISO standards prior to go-live.

The second phase, covering laboratory medicine, represented the most complex aspect of the deployment, with approximately 31,000 tests processed daily. Despite the scale, the go-live achieved a high level of operational stability, with systems performing as expected from the outset.

“The system went live remarkably smoothly,” Mark commented. “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.”

A key success factor throughout the project was proactive stakeholder engagement, particularly with local GP practices, which account for a significant proportion of pathology demand. Regular communication, early engagement, and support for system changes, including the transition to HL7 messaging, helped ensure a seamless experience for primary care users.

Feedback from GPs following go-live was overwhelmingly positive, with only minor issues reported, such as changes to result formatting and parameter ordering. These were quickly resolved through established communication channels and close collaboration between the Trust and Clinisys teams.

The implementation also formed part of the wider Greater Manchester LIMS programme. While collaboration across the regional network presented opportunities for shared learning and data integration, Mark noted the importance of stronger standardisation and coordination in future phases. Consistency in areas such as test naming and configuration is essential to fully realise the benefits of a connected diagnostic ecosystem.

Early indicators suggest the introduction of Clinisys™ WinPath is supporting ongoing efficiency improvements, helping to modernise laboratory operations, and allows for efficient reporting and analytics; capabilities that were not feasible within the legacy infrastructure.  Staff adoption has progressed steadily, with initial resistance giving way to increased familiarity and recognition of system benefits.

The project also demonstrated the importance of robust resource planning.  Mark emphasised that sufficient staffing and dedicated project support are critical to success. “This is a major organizational change. You need the right people, with the right expertise, and enough time allocated to the project from the outset,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Trust plans to continue optimising its use of Clinisys™ WinPath, including exploring enhancements such as improved sample tracking and expanded digital workflows. The system provides a strong platform for future innovation, including further integration across the Greater Manchester network and the continued development of digital pathology capabilities.

The success of the programme also reflects a strong partnership between Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Clinisys. Close collaboration, responsive support, and shared problem-solving were key to overcoming challenges and delivering a smooth transition.

“The way the teams worked together made a real difference,” Mark concluded. “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 for 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.”