Peninsula Pathology Network newsletter
The latest updates for pathology services in the South West
July 2026
Welcome
Here is what we said last time for reference. Eli at Torbay suggested we maybe flag up the investment we've leveraged:
I would like to start by recognising the challenging financial and operational positions that we have all had to deal with this year and the hard work of the network team and local leaders to continue working towards a fully collaborative future for pathology.
Part of our role has been continuing to seek funding from NHS England, especially for digital modernisation and histopathology productivity. We have worked hard to secure significant additional funds in the last few weeks that will enable greater automation, support the ongoing roll-out of digital pathology, and assist in detailed planning for much of our future estate. Next year will see us continue to work on planning for the transformation of services that is so needed.
Our plans are being recognised by NHS England, the wider pathology community, and the media as aspirational and worthy of support. This is a tribute to everyone who works so hard in the peninsula to deliver or support pathology services. From myself and the network team, we wish you a restful Christmas and New Year.
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.
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.
STOP PRESS! We can confirm that there are plans for another study day early in 2027.
Lou - other workforce updates to add please!
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, PenRAD Imaging Network colleagues joined the Discovery Day at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (pictured above), 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
Exam successes
Well done to everyone who has recently passed pathology exams in the peninsula! Here are a few of them:
- Gemma Vanstone, HSST in Medical Microbiology at Royal Cornwall, who has passed FRCPath Part 2
- James Griffiths, HSST in Virology at Royal Cornwall, who has passed FRCPath Part 1
- Melissa Prior-Ong at Torbay Hospital, who passed FRCPath Part 1
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.
Order communications study
The Peninsula Diagnostic Networks (pathology and imaging) are running an NHS England‑funded feasibility study to improve referral and diagnostic request processes 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 future solution may enable requests to be processed quickly and seamlessly within the patient record, avoiding additional workload or multiple system log-ins.
Network 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.
