AI-technology will speed up cancer diagnosis at Dorset’s new Pathology Hub
The ribbons been cut and the doors opened to a new £24 million state-of-the-art Pathology Hub in Bournemouth
Last updated 23rd May 2024
Dorset’s new £24 million Pathology Hub has officially opened, just behind Royal Bournemouth Hospital to meet growing demand for specialist treatment.
The facility is one of the most advanced pathology hubs in the UK, supporting hospitals across the region to improve diagnostics for patients.
Pathology Services Director Hub director, Steve Harding told us: “We are very much ahead of the curve. These are the most modern and cutting-edge pieces of equipment we're working with.
“The new building allows us to be much more efficient and streamlined with our testing as well as deliver more accurate testing and results.”
It’s been estimated that 80% of all hospital patients have their blood tested at specialist pathology hubs to help with either the diagnosis or monitoring of disease.
Blood samples of patients from hospitals across the south, including Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, Salisbury, Southampton and even the Isle of Wight will be sent there.
The new Dorset Pathology Hub will deliver advanced specialist testing including artificial intelligence to detect cancers.
Mr Harding said: “We use digital image scanning for histopathology and then once we've got images, we can get AI to help our consultants with their diagnosis of cancer patients which is going to be a fantastic leap forward in spotting cancers.”
Alexandra Grainey, cellular pathology manager for One Dorset Pathology, shared how the new building compares to the old workspace.
She said: “The old building was very cramped, we didn't have room to expand and it really affected staff morale but coming to this has been a breath of fresh air and we’ve been extremely spoiled, it’s perfect for our needs and requirements.”
In further news, University Hospitals Dorset also learnt that the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), has accredited a new degree at Bournemouth University in Biomedical Science.