Location and plans

We are building a state-of-the-art Pathology Laboratory at St James's Hospital.

The new facility will be part of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Pathology Network, formed through the collaboration with the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) and will support the delivery of pathology services across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.

As well as supporting improvements in diagnosis for people across the region, the new laboratory will help to meet the growing regional demand for specialist treatment and care whilst providing development opportunities for staff.

Where is it located?

The new laboratory is at St James’s University Hospital, located near the Trust Headquarters building.

When will it open?

Building completion is planned for the end of summer 2023 with pathology services then transferring throughout 2023 and 2024, becoming fully operational following the installation of new, high-tech equipment.

What will happen to the Old Medical School at Leeds General Infirmary?

Currently, the majority of the Trust’s pathology services are provided from outdated facilities in the Old Medical School at the LGI and from St James’s Hospital.

The new building will bring many of these services together and the vacated Old Medical School will form part of a plan to use surplus estate at the LGI to develop an innovation village which is expected to deliver up to 3,000 new jobs and £11.2 bn in net present value.

Will the new laboratory be modern and sustainable?

The Trust aims to develop a world-class pathology building that is flexible, digital by design and that supports the delivery of net zero carbon. It will be mechanically ventilated with heat recovery and systems to minimise power and re-use heat.

It will also incorporate a single, shared Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for the region which will mean tests can be ordered, tracked and results reported electronically to clinical services across West Yorkshire and Harrogate, speeding up results for patients.

What is Pathology?

Pathology testing helps doctors to diagnose, treat and prevent disease.

Pathology is the study of samples from a person’s body – for example, blood or skin samples – to find out what is causing their illness and how serious it is. The results help doctors to plan the best treatment and care.

Pathology covers all areas of medicine, from testing for cancer to preventing the spread of infection. It also plays a key role in research, for example by studying the effects of new drugs or finding new treatments for disease.