Client: Synnovis
Location: Blackfriars, London
Role: Fixed-Term Consultant – Head of Estates Transformation
Sector: Healthcare / Pathology Infrastructure
The Challenge
Synnovis sought to transform pathology services across its London hospital network (GSTT & Kings Trust). Diagnostic activity was dispersed across multiple sites, creating inefficiencies and delays that impacted both clinicians and patients. The objective was to consolidate non-essential pathology activity from six hospitals into a single, purpose-built hub, improving turnaround times, resilience, and consistency of service. Delivering this vision required a highly complex healthcare facility in a constrained central London location, capable of accommodating advanced laboratory infrastructure and specialist equipment.
Our Role
One of our consultants was engaged on a fixed-term contract to lead the design development and project management of the new pathology hub at Blackfriars. The role involved close collaboration with Synnovis leadership, clinical and laboratory specialists, design teams, contractors, and equipment suppliers, ensuring clinical, technical, programme, and cost requirements were aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
The Solution
The project delivered a designed to support high-volume, high-throughput laboratory activity. The facility was carefully planned to integrate complex clinical workflows, specialist equipment, and resilient building systems, while remaining flexible for future advances in diagnostic technology.
Project Highlights
- Largest Abbott laboratory track system in Europe, supporting high-throughput automated diagnostics
- Largest BD laboratory track system globally, enabling efficient, scalable sample processing
- Bespoke CSR-to-floor automated delivery system by Telelift, facilitating rapid and secure sample movement throughout the building
- CAT 3 laboratories, designed to meet stringent containment and safety requirements
- Mass spectrometry (MassSpec) laboratory, supporting advanced diagnostic testing
- Dedicated sample storage facilities, designed for secure, long-term specimen management
- BREEAM Excellent accreditation, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental performance
The Outcome
- A landmark 10-storey pathology hub in central London, with eight floors of specialist laboratory accommodation;
- Successful consolidation of non-essential pathology work from six hospitals into a single location;
- Significantly improved turnaround times for test results, supporting faster clinical decision-making;
- A resilient, future proof facility capable of supporting evolving diagnostic demands;
- A sustainable building aligned with best practice environmental standards.
Value Delivered
The new pathology hub represents a step change in diagnostic capability for Synnovis. By combining advanced laboratory technology, purpose built infrastructure, and thoughtful design, the project has enabled more efficient, resilient, and responsive pathology services. Our consultant’s leadership ensured the complex requirements of a world-class diagnostic facility were translated into a successful built outcome, delivering tangible benefits for clinicians, patients, and the wider healthcare system.
