NSW Health Pathology’s laboratory at Randwick is today celebrating 25 years as a designated World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre.

The NSW Health Pathology laboratory at the Prince of Wales Hospital supports the WHO’s global efforts fighting sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.

Health Minister Ryan Park said he was delighted to celebrate the milestone anniversary of the facility on International Pathology Day (8 November).

“NSW Health Pathology staff working at laboratories across the state are the ‘hidden heroes’ of healthcare, working to ensure doctors have the diagnostic results and advice they need to make informed decisions about patient care,” Mr Park said.

“Many medical decisions rely on pathology, and most cancer diagnoses start with pathology.

“I want to thank all our NSW Health Pathology teams for the incredible role they play, often behind the scenes, in the NSW health system to help protect our lives. We simply couldn’t do without them.

“WHO Collaborating Centres are an international network of laboratory institutions designated by the Director-General of the WHO to help fullfil its mandated activities and harness international expertise, skills and resources.”

Member for Coogee, Marjorie O’Neill, said the 25th anniversary of the Randwick lab serves as an important opportunity to recognise the skills and significant contribution of NSW Health Pathology staff in monitoring antimicrobial resistance over many years.

“I’m incredibly proud of the staff at the Randwick facility, providing a service that is integral to care delivery across the whole health system,” Ms O’Neill said.

The NSW Health Pathology laboratory at Randwick works with the WHO on antimicrobial resistance surveillance and acts as the National Coordinating Centre for the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System. Since the 1980s the laboratory has also coordinated the national surveillance program for invasive meningococcal disease.

NSW Health Pathology’s Randwick Laboratory Medical Director Professor Monica Lahra congratulated her colleagues on the milestone, saying it was an honour to be working with the WHO as a collaborating centre.

“Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and is a major emerging health threat around the world. It can affect anyone and can result in longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and cause long-term side effects or even death,” Prof. Lahra said.

“Our world-leading experts are providing vital surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and working to keep all our communities safe.

“Our NSW Health Pathology team coordinates these programs and collaborates with partner organisations globally to support the WHO’s important work.”