Bruce Campbell, Tony Abbott, Andrew St John, Leslie Burnett

Lab Tests Online Australasia (or LTO^AU) was formally launched on August 10^th by the Federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott, in the PaLMS laboratories at Royal North Shore Hospital.

As part of his opening speech Tony Abbott talked about the critical importance of resources which enabled the public to understand complex topics such as pathology tests and how this understanding would contribute to the public taking a greater responsibility for their own health. He also paid tribute to the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) and its members for taking this important initiative.

Andrew St John, Chair of the LTO^AU Management Board explained that LTO^AU been developed from the UK version of Lab Tests Online and forms part of what is a growing global resource devoted to providing information about laboratory testing. He acknowledged the Association’s thanks to the Australian Government for funding LTO^AU and in particular, the Quality Use of Pathology Program and its chair, Michael Harrison, who also attended the launch.

An overview of the website was provided to the Minister and the media by Bruce Campbell who has been responsible for reviewing and editing the information that is place on the website. Those attending the launch included members of the LTO^AU Management Board and people who are responsible for conducting laboratory testing.

While most of the common blood tests are already on the site there will continue to be a steady stream of new information as new tests are developed and made available to doctors. We hope you find the site useful and please tell your friends and colleagues of its existence.