The Peninsula Pathology NHS Network has attracted over £13 million to Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for projects which can help laboratories run more efficiently, increasing productivity and helping to give patients their test results more quickly at a time of growing demand.
The Network brings together the pathology departments across Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s NHS acute trusts to provide high quality data-driven, state-of-the-art pathology that supports clinical services and patients in a modern and responsive healthcare system. Over the course of an average year the network’s pathology departments process a combined total of 39 million tests a year, with an average of over 80,000 coming from each GP practice.
Pathology laboratory staff, of which there are more than 800 in the peninsula, play an essential role in helping to diagnose or rule out health conditions and infections, to identify the most appropriate treatment and to provide ongoing monitoring of health conditions.
The funding comes from NHS England’s Digital Diagnostics Capabilities (DDC) Programme and covers the next three financial years. It includes over £10 million for Digital Pathology and other digital maturity projects. Digital Pathology is the process of digitising glass slides using a whole slide image scanner and then analysing the digital images using an image viewer, typically on a computer monitor or mobile device. It can significantly improve productivity. It also enables more flexible working, make it easier to get second and specialist opinions and sharing with multi-disciplinary teams.
There is also over £3 million for Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), which integrates with pathology data systems and helps to improve efficiency in labs, improve standardisation and interoperability across clinical systems.
Peninsula Pathology NHS Network Director, David Gibbs, said: “I’m delighted that the network has attracted this funding, which recognises both the pioneering work and potential for our pathology departments here in Devon and Cornwall. At a time of growing demand for medical tests, it will enable our hardworking staff to process more samples more quickly, more safely and more effectively. It’s great news for our colleagues but above all it’s great news for patients.”
