What is this category for?
This category is the primary discussion hub for the NHS Pathology API and the modern digital infrastructure supporting pathology and laboratory medicine in England.
As the NHS moves away from legacy messaging standards (such as PMIP EDIFACT) toward the DAPB4101: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Reporting Information Standard, this space is for developers, LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) providers, and middleware vendors to:
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Discuss the Pathology FHIR Specification.
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Troubleshoot API authentication, message validation, and event-based architectures.
Why may you want to use this category?
Use this category to stay informed about the national roadmap for pathology interoperability. Whether you are building a new diagnostic tool, updating a LIMS, or managing a regional pathology network, this is where you can find:
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Implementation Support - Help with mapping legacy codes to SNOMED CT and implementing FHIR bundles.
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Architecture Discussions - Guidance on how the Pathology API interacts with Patient Data Manager (PDM) and event-driven notifications.
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Early Access & Testing - Updates on sandbox environments and the “Onboarding” process for pathology integrations.
What should topics in this category contain?
When starting a new topic, please try to include:
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Standard/Version: (e.g., FHIR R4 UK Core, DAPB4101).
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Context: Are you a LIMS provider, a GP system supplier, or an independent developer?
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Specific Error Codes: If you are experiencing technical issues with the Pathology API or PDM validation.
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Use Case: What is your primary care use case?