Medical Laboratory • 3 mins read
3 mins read
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The healthcare sector depends on reliable, consistent and competent diagnostic services. Accreditation to internationally agreed standards provides assurance that these services operate with the rigour, integrity and technical proficiency needed to support safe, effective patient care. UKAS is therefore pleased to confirm the successful completion of transitions to two key standards in the healthcare portfolio: ISO 15189:2022 for medical laboratories and ISO/IEC 17043:2023 for proficiency testing providers.
These transitions mark an important milestone, reflecting the collective commitment of accredited organisations and UKAS assessment teams to uphold quality in a rapidly advancing field. Patients rely on accurate and timely diagnostics. These recent transitions to updated ISO standards strengthen that trust.
Recognising the achievement
The scale of activity behind these transitions has been considerable. This achievement reflects extensive collaboration across the healthcare system. Here’s some headlines of what it involved:
For ISO 15189:2022, the updated standard for medical laboratory competence and quality:
- 560 customers accredited
- 850 assessment days and 1700 accreditation decisions
For ISO/IEC 17043:2023, the updated standard for proficiency testing providers:
- 36 customers accredited
- 48 assessment days and 100 accreditation decisions
These figures illustrate the significant level of preparation, collaboration and technical work undertaken across the process for transition for an accreditation body. They also demonstrate the dedication of laboratories, proficiency testing providers, UKAS assessment teams and Decision Makers in ensuring a smooth and timely transition for all parties.
Why transitions matter
International standards evolve to reflect scientific progress, emerging risks and changes in professional practice. Updating them helps ensure that accredited services continue to meet current expectations and maintain the trust placed in them by clinicians, commissioners and the public.
An accreditation standard transition typically involves:
- Reviewing the changes introduced in the updated standard
- Assessing how these changes affect existing processes, controls and documentation
- Implementing necessary updates within the service
- Undergoing assessment to demonstrate conformity to the new requirements
- Completion of an independent accreditation decision to confirm the transition
This process provides assurance that accredited organisations remain aligned with modern practice and continue to operate robust, reliable systems that support high-quality care.
Supporting quality in patient services
Both ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17043 play a central role in the quality framework underpinning diagnostics. ISO 15189 supports confidence in the competence of medical laboratories, while ISO/IEC 17043 ensures that proficiency testing schemes provide trusted external quality assessment. Together, they help build a healthcare environment where results are dependable, variation is minimised and patients receive timely, accurate information to support their clinical pathway.
A shared achievement
The completion of these transitions reflects the hard work and professionalism of accredited organisations and the UKAS teams who support them. It demonstrates the strength of the UK’s accreditation system and its ongoing commitment to maintaining public confidence in healthcare services. These transitions not only maintain current quality standards but also position healthcare services to adapt to future innovations
UKAS extends sincere thanks to all customers, assessors and colleagues involved. Their commitment to excellence ensures that accreditation continues to provide a strong foundation for quality, resilience and trust across the healthcare sector.