The contract, which starts in October 2026, combines the pathology services that support GP practices, clinicians across the trust's Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals, and a patient population of 1.2 million. It includes blood, tissue and other sample testing, as well as phlebotomy clinics for mid and south Essex.

SYNLAB will provide a ‘hub and spoke' pathology services model with the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which focuses routine and specialist testing in high-capacity ‘hub' laboratories, with modernised laboratories on each hospital site to support emergency and inpatient care.

The partners say this is a tried and tested, clinically-led model that will improve testing turnaround times, free up NHS hospital estate for other patient services and create opportunities for staff development, training and innovation. It will future-proof the service to ensure the trust can meet the needs of the area's growing population.

SYNLAB has committed to heavily investing in premises, technology and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, and ensuring these facilities and staffing remain based in mid and south Essex.

The two pathology providers currently serving mid and south Essex, including Pathology First for south Essex and the trust's in-house service for mid Essex, will remain in place until the new contract begins in October 2026.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘This marks a new and improved pathology journey for our patients, staff and local community. Having one provider for the whole of mid and south Essex will make delivery of pathology services more efficient and smoother.

‘SYNLAB will invest in the very latest technology and equipment that will speed up access to results and focus on a digital first approach, which is very much in line with the trust's strategy. There will be further investment in improving laboratories, providing modern facilities that staff feel proud to work in. We can now begin to make the arrangements to transfer to the new provider in Autumn 2026.'

Dr Peter Davis, consultant histopathologist and clinical director for Pathology at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, added: ‘We see this as a positive step forward in what has been a long and carefully considered procurement process. The national approval of this pathology contract means we can now move forward in providing a single service.'

Mark Dollar, chief executive of SYNLAB UK & Ireland, said: ‘Having served south Essex for the past 10 years, we understand the needs of, and have existing ties with, the area. The service will continue to be clinically led by the trust, who can count on our experience and investment in modern facilities, the latest technology, and, most importantly, our people.

'We want to create a service that is fit for the future and gives staff the tools and environment to do what they do best — making a positive difference to people's lives, health and wellbeing.'