Peninsula Pathology Network newsletter
The latest updates for pathology services in the South West
July 2026
Welcome
Since the network’s inception, I'm proud that we have secured £17.3 million of NHS England investment so far, into pathology services across the peninsula (with more to come).
This represents a major vote of confidence in our collective vision for modern, resilient and high‑quality diagnostic services that better support patients and clinicians alike.
At the heart of this investment is our histopathology automation pilot, which you can read more about below. This has attracted over £5.3 million from NHS England through two successful national business cases. The funding will support the piloting of end‑to‑end laboratory automation, helping us to improve throughput and standardise processes and share those successes nationally.
Alongside automation, we have secured wider investment across estates and digital infrastructure. This includes funding to support laboratory redevelopment, relocation work in Plymouth, enabling works at Estover, design work at Gadeon House, and targeted investment in digital pathology, including scanners, LIMS implementation and the introduction of AI‑enabled technologies.
The progress we have made so far reflects the strength of collaboration across our partners and the commitment of colleagues throughout the system. The investment we have secured provides a platform for change - but it is the way we work together to deliver this transformation that will ultimately determine its success.
By focusing on delivery, maintaining momentum and ensuring sustainability, we can realise the full benefits of this investment for our patients, our workforce and our wider health and care system.
Pilot to introduce histopathology automation in the peninsula
The Peninsula Pathology Network has secured funding from NHS England to pilot new automation within histopathology services. The first phase will focus on embedding and microtomy at University Hospitals Plymouth, using available space at the Estover site.
This pilot aims to identify the most effective automation solutions and understand how workflows can be optimised.
Initially, only routine samples with larger tissue sections will be processed through the automated pathway, while more complex samples such as biopsies will continue to follow a manual process.
Initial engagement sessions with staff have been well-received and the pilot will begin validation in the coming weeks.
Automation is expected to support growing demand by reducing turnaround times and helping teams manage increasing workloads more effectively. Benefits will include improved resilience and opportunities for staff development.
Support workforce study day
Around 60 support workers attended our first CPD study day specifically tailored for this vital staff group. The day was held at South West Imaging Training Academy (SWITA) in Plymouth in March, aimed at Band 2-4 clinical and non-clinical support staff, working in cancer and diagnostics, region-wide.
The day covered topics including how to communicate effectively in challenging situations, help in gaining confidence to raise and resolve concerns, ways to navigate your career pathway with purpose, and support from mentors in clinical practice.
We are grateful to all of the speakers who joined for the day, who included Katie Thompson, President of the Society of Radiographers (SoR), Sue Johnson, Professional Officer (Clinical Imaging) from the Society, Jane Bunce, Workforce Supply Senior Manager at NHS England South West, and Andy Garner, Oncology Lead Educator.
Donna Torrance and Jim Taylor from the Institute of Biomedical Science also joined as speakers They discussed development opportunities with the pathology support workers including the IBMS Certificate of Achievement, which is aimed at support workers to develop essential skills for their roles alongside their laboratory competencies.
We also launched a new Support Worker Framework, created with input from the Network Trainers and support workers in the pensinsula.
STOP PRESS! We can confirm that there are plans for another study day early in 2027.
Royal College recognition
Congratulations to Dr Marina Morgan, Consultant in Medical Microbiology and Infection at Royal Devon, who has recently been awarded the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) Achievement Award for Trainer of the Year.
Dr Morgan has also been awarded a Fellowship from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Only a few individuals in the UK hold this distinction.
These awards are a reflection of Dr Morgan's dedication, expertise, and the significant impact she continues to make within her field. Well done!
Discover Diagnostics careers events
The final two career events in this year’s ‘Discover Diagnostics’ series provided an insight for students into careers in diagnostic imaging and other specialities.
The events are held in collaboration with hospital trusts and are designed to inspire students and young people to consider a diagnostics career in healthcare.
In January, the University of Exeter hosted a careers day at its St Luke's Campus, and in February, Peninsula Pathology Network colleagues joined the Discovery Day at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, which was attended by around 260 people.
We’re already planning the next series of events for this autumn/winter. The first will be held at the South West Imaging Training Academy in Plymouth on Saturday 14 November.
Click the links for more details and to book a place.
These events offer the opportunity to meet and chat with a range of healthcare colleagues, take part in interactive workshops and discover more about the careers on offer.
Read more about our Discover Diagnostics events
Qualification successes
Well done to everyone who has recently passed pathology exams in the peninsula! We are planning to celebrate these achievements more regularly in future, so for this first time we have quite a long list of people to mention.
> See the qualification roll-call
Apologies to anyone we didn't hear about in time for publication. Wishing everyone success in their future exams and professional development.
IBMS National Council elections
Many congratulations to Louise Jefferies, the network's Workforce Lead, on her election to the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) National Council, where she will join colleagues taking a pivotal role in shaping the future of the professional body representing biomedical sciences.
As trustees, council members hold ultimate responsibility for IBMS governance. They set the strategic direction, agree on the corporate objectives, and ensure the organisation meets the needs of its members and stakeholders.
HELP Flag project shortlisted for national award
A project led by Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was shortlisted for a Medipex NHS Innovation Award.
The HELP Flag (High or Elevated Level of Platelets) Pathway has been recognised for its work to support earlier cancer detection in primary care.
Developed by the University of Exeter with support from SBRI Healthcare, the initiative uses routine blood test data to identify patients who may be at higher risk. By applying personalised, age and sex‑adjusted thresholds to platelet counts, the system generates alerts in GP records, prompting timely follow‑up and investigation.
HELP Flag is already live across 60 GP practices in Devon and is being expanded to Liverpool.
Workforce updates
Degree Apprenticeship in Applied BMS at the University of Portsmouth
In June, we hosted an enlightening online webinar which provided information about the apprenticeship offer at the University of Portsmouth. The recording can be found on FutureNHS here: Degree Apprenticeship Applied BMS University of Portsmouth - Pathology Workforce Development Programme
IBMS Specialist Portfolio Project Part 1
During March the SW Regional Training Collaboration sent out toolkits for trainers for clinical chemistry; haematology with blood transfusion; cellular pathology and microbiology. These toolkits are for Training Officers who support staff working towards the IBMS Specialist Portfolio. They include a gap analysis comparing the old and new portfolio, a bank of questions that can be adapted for local use, and templates.
You’ll also find instructions for accessing the NHS Learning Hub (where e-learning resources are being stored), as well as advice on collecting evidence, giving feedback, understanding plagiarism and generative AI. If you are a trainer and have not received these then please email Lou Jefferies and request a copy.
IBMS Specialist Portfolio Project Part 2
The Peninsula Pathology Network and West of England Pathhology Network are proud to launch their interactive e-learning resources for the IBMS Specialist Portfolios in Haematology with Blood Transfusion and Cellular Pathology.
This has been a collaborative project, with content developed by the Network Trainers and additional subject matter experts in partnership with Gloucestershire Research and Education Group, who translated the training materials into an e-learning package. These resources are designed to be a supplementary learning resource for learners.
We would appreciate any feedback by completing this Specialist Portfolio e-learning module feedback questionnaire.
Order communications study
The Peninsula Diagnostic Networks (pathology and imaging) are running an NHS England‑funded feasibility study to explore the potential for having a single shared order communications system for orders placed by referrers outside of the acute trusts, across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
With input from clinicians and administrative staff from GP practices, community services, mental health providers and independent providers, the project will explore how a future single shared solution may enable orders to be placed and routed to the correct provider and processed quickly and seamlessly within the patient record, avoiding additional workload or multiple system log-ins.
University Hospitals Plymouth hosts school visit
Harvey Ransom at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust showing students from Mount Kelly School in Tavistock around the blood sciences lab. Biology Subject Lead James Whitehead said, 'The students really enjoyed the experience and we were very grateful for the time and enthusiasm you and your colleagues afforded us.'
Outreach team shortlisted for public engagement award
We were thrilled that the network's careers outreach activity was shortlisted for an IBMS Award in the Public Engagement category.
Being shortlisted reflects the creativity and commitment of our team: Stacey Woodruff, Charlotte Parkes and Louise Jefferies. Together they have increased the profile of biomedical science with the public, particularly through our 'Discover Diagnostics' community events aimed at students.
And finally... a sustainability success story
A new pilot is exploring how single‑use laboratory plastics can be kept in circulation rather than discarded. Led by BD and Envetec Sustainable Technologies, the project is testing a closed‑loop recycling approach for items such as polystyrene Petri dishes.
Using a low‑energy chemical disinfection process, the pilot shows how regulated lab waste can be safely treated and converted into clean polymer material. This can then be remanufactured into new products.
The work addresses a significant sustainability challenge in healthcare, where high‑quality plastics are widely used but typically incinerated or sent to landfill. By enabling these materials to be reused, the model could help reduce waste and reliance on virgin plastics. The network is considering how innovations like these can be introduced in the peninsula.
