Digital Morphology

Currently, blood samples are viewed under a microscope on slides processed, spread and stained in our laboratories. To inspect samples, those reporting must either attend the laboratories in person or have the slides physically returned to them. However, digital morphology will see state-of-the-art scanners (Scopio X100) and high-resolution monitors installed in our laboratories. They will scan the slides to create detailed digital images of samples that can be viewed on a desktop monitor.

Easier access to viewing slides will speed up the diagnosis process, enabling clinicians to work more efficiently. With samples viewable online from any location, it will become easier to get opinions from haematologists anywhere in the world with access to the system. Slides will be moved around far less, minimising risks linked to logistics and handling. Digital morphology offers a smoother experience for you, with two monitors provided to analyse samples, view LIMS information and report results - and no need for microscopes. It will facilitate moving routine work to the hub, preventing the movement of glass slides across London.

Yes - the digital scans and monitors will make it possible to view whole slides at 100x resolution. You’ll also be able to zoom in to view sharp individual cellular and subcellular detail at 100x magnification.

We are in the process of connecting and validating the new Scopio equipment at our hospital-based laboratories – and training Synnovis laboratory colleagues to use it. Your Trust Strategic Clinical Leads will let you know when your site will switch to digital reporting as soon as possible. We anticipate the system will be operational St Thomas’, Guy’s, King’s College and Princess Royal University hospital by Autumn 2025. Dates for Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals will be communicated as soon as possible.

You will not have to change the location from which you report your slides, but you will be viewing them on high-resolution monitors instead of under microscopes. Where applicable, you will also be able to view your slides remotely - from any location - provided you have access to the Scopio system.

In the event of any problems, Trust staff should speak to their Synnovis scientist colleagues, who will escalate issues to Synnovis’ IT department.

The Scopio digital pathology system has a program that produces an AI report of each film, which will be introduced later in the year. We will still expect biomedical scientists and haematology clinicians to review films to check the AI conclusion, but it is anticipated that the process will be quicker than before.