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- Release Date: 17/10/13 11:54
- Summary: GENERAL: ABA: Abano's Pathology Business Signs $26M Contract Extension
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ABA
17/10/2013 09:54
GENERAL
REL: 0954 HRS Abano Healthcare Group Limited
GENERAL: ABA: Abano's Pathology Business Signs $26M Contract Extension
Abano Healthcare Group's Wellington-based pathology business, Aotea
Pathology, has signed a one year contract extension, worth just over $26
million. The existing community pathology contract it holds with the Hutt
Valley and Capital & Coast District Health Boards (DHBs) will now expire in
October 2015.
Aotea Pathology has been working closely with the DHBs for the past year and
has collaborated as part of a working group set up to identify the optimal
pathology and laboratory service solution for the wider Wellington region.
The contract extension has been agreed to by Aotea Pathology to allow the
review to progress while providing surety of service for patients and
referrers.
Aotea Pathology has provided the community pathology service to the wider
Wellington region for over 80 years. More than 2.2 million tests are carried
out each year, with patient samples collected through a network of community
rooms and medical collection points. These samples are then analysed at Aotea
Pathology's state of the art laboratory in central Wellington by a team of
New Zealand's leading pathologists and scientists.
Managing director of Abano, Mr Alan Clarke, said: "The DHB review is
important to ensure that there continues to be a professional, high quality
medical service for the greater Wellington area, which provides best value
for money.
"We hope that this may lead to longer term contract tenure which would be to
the benefit of all parties. It would allow Abano to increase its investment
into delivering this world class pathology service, and importantly, to offer
the employment stability and security required to recruit and retain world
class pathologists and laboratory staff in New Zealand."
He continued: "Aotea Pathology's long history, deep understanding of the
needs of the local communities and strong relationships with local referrers,
patients and the DHBs provides us with unique insights into the Wellington
pathology sector. We are pleased to have been able to share our knowledge
with the DHBs as options are considered as to how pathology services can best
be provided to patients in the region.
"The organisation is fully certified by IANZ and their innovative approach
and introduction of initiatives such as electronic test ordering are
important factors in achieving the outcomes of the NZ Triple Aim of better
care for patients and communities and best value for the money invested. As
a leader in the industry, they continue to innovate with best practice,
processes and technology.
"An Expression of Interest has now been released by the DHBs and we are
looking forward to continuing to fully engage in the process to ensure the
future of a professional and expert pathology service for people in the wider
Wellington region."
Abano has a 55 percent shareholding in Aotea Pathology, which is a joint
venture between Abano and Sonic Healthcare which holds the remaining 45
percent. The business is part of Abano's diagnostics sector which also
includes Insight+Ascot Radiology in Auckland. The sector provided 16 percent
of Abano's Group gross revenue in FY13.
ENDS
End CA:00242484 For:ABA Type:GENERAL Time:2013-10-17 09:54:32
