Attain was commissioned by the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) to support the implementation of a region-wide Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS):

  • WYAAT and partner NHS Trusts required programme management support for the implementation and rollout of a new LIMS system.
  • Key project objectives included ensuring clarity in implementation timelines, robust risk management, effective stakeholder engagement, and seamless IT/LIMS interfacing.
  • The implementation involved managing the relationship with Clinisys, ensuring contractual compliance, and aligning with regional pathology developments.

What We did

  • Programme leadership and assurance - provided overarching leadership to the LIMS programme board, offering guidance, assurance, and strategic support.

  • Stakeholder and vendor management - facilitated weekly project managers' meetings across WYAAT to drive joint actions and resolve dependencies.

  • Held Clinisys accountable for deliverables - monitored defect resolution, and escalated any operational concerns.

  • Collaborative engagement - regularly engaged with IT teams to monitor progress on interfacing and cyber issues and identified mitigating actions for potential risks.

  • Regional coordination - ensured alignment with emerging developments in the New Pathology Partnership to maintain regional consistency and optimisation.

Outcomes

  • Oversaw the successful go-live of the new LIMS at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) with a minimal number of change requests, ensuring smooth transition and operational continuity.

  • Provided oversight and challenge to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) cutover plan, ensuring a robust and thorough approach to minimise risks and ensure readiness for implementation.

  • Through effective programme governance, we delivered clear programme documentation and governance structures, ensuring risks and issues were proactively managed.

  • Resolved operational issues efficiently, reducing potential delays in the implementation process.

  • Fostered cross-organisational collaboration, ensuring alignment between Pathology and IT teams, regional partners, and the broader programme objectives.