News

Patients are receiving test results sooner thanks to a £1.4million investment in our cellular pathology service.

Cellular pathology plays an important role in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including cancer, by examining tissue and cell samples. Improving how quickly these samples can be processed and analysed means results can get back to clinical teams – and ultimately patients – sooner.

Thanks to NHS England funding, we have been able to introduce new equipment that frees up our staff, improve laboratory facilities and increase capacity within the service.

Four new pieces of equipment have been introduced as part of the investment, automating previously manual processes such as supporting the preparation of tissue samples and the production of slides to be examined under a microscope. With the ability to operate overnight and at weekends, this allows staff to focus their time on other work.

Previously, the service did not consistently meet the 28-day national target. We are now meeting the 21-day and 28-day targets and as the new equipment becomes fully operational, we expect to see further improvements in the turnaround time of results.

Head of Pathology, Vj Bilyard said:

“Thank you to NHS England colleagues for this significant investment, which is already transforming the service we provide to our patients.

“I’d also like to thank our cellular pathology staff for their hard work throughout these improvements. Together, we are building a faster, more sustainable and innovative diagnostic service for the communities we serve.”