New Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

A new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is being introduced at Hampshire Hospitals from 13 October 2025, replacing the LIMS currently in use.

As Hampshire Hospitals sits as part of the Southern Counties Pathology Network – who are rolling the same LIMS out across all providers – we have been preparing for this change for several years. This is to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for clinical colleagues who request the tests, and for patients awaiting results. The LIMS links the requests made on the requesting system (ICE), with the sample in the laboratory and the result.

This system is already live at other providers across Hampshire and Dorset, and we are working hard to ensure a smooth transition by learning from previous go-lives in the region. Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust are the most recent Trust to go live, on 15 September which went very smoothly with minimal issues for lab or clinical staff.

What will change and action required:

• ‘Add-on’ tests will not be permitted during the go-live week.
• Requesters should reduce routine and non-essential test requests and limit tests to those that are clinically urgent.  

Acute microbiology specimens, such as Urine MC and S for suspected UTIs, should be sent when clinically indicated. Blood tests for acutely unwell patients or significant time-sensitive diagnoses must continue without delay.

Routine monitoring tests or those for non-specific symptoms without red flags that can be safely postponed or rescheduled within a 1–2 week window (or brought forward prior to 13 October) should be delayed.

• Only urgent appointments will be available in Hampshire Hospitals phlebotomy clinics during 13 to 20 October. All urgent phlebotomy appointments during 13-20 October must be booked via the phone booking line. We anticipate a higher volume of calls as a result.
• Additional phlebotomy appointments will be available the week before go-live in all three hospital sites. 
• The appearance of results may look slightly different in the new system – we have created a list of expected test name changes here. Thank you for your patience as everyone adjusts. 

What won’t change:

• The go-live of the new LIMS at Hampshire Hospitals will not change ICE for requesting and viewing results.
• To prevent issues with postponed orders, a dual feed will be in place. Requests made before 13 October will still be processed – there’s no need to re-request; however, results may take slightly longer to be received.
• Samples from all our GP practices and other sites will continue to be bought to HHFT.