Digital Histopathology

A fully digital histopathology process will support improved turn-around times as pathologists will be able to access their slides immediately after they are scanned, from any location. It will also remove the requirement to manually transport samples, which can increase the risk of lost or damaged slides. It supports enhanced clinical decision making by enabling slides to be viewed by all clinicians during multi-disciplinary meetings. Going forward, the system will support the aspirations of trust research and development partners regarding the use of AI. 

Yes, if not better. The scanners capture high-resolution images of both routine and non-routine blocks. The feedback we have had from clinicians undergoing clinical validation is that the scans are comparable and, in many cases, better than looking through the microscope. 

It is anticipated that fully digital reporting will begin on in 2026, once consultant pathologists have completed their digital reporting validation, as per RCPath guidelines. We are currently working to facilitate validation by integrating the IMS with Beaker LIMS. Validation will include a six-month familiarisation period during which, according to Strategic Clinical Lead guidance, clinicians should report 25% of their slides digitally. 

You will access your digital slides by logging in to the IMS at any location via provided IT hardware (PC’s and laptops). 

Please contact Mark Latham, Programme Director Digital Histopathology (PBU), by emailing mark.latham@nhs.net or calling 07715 495708. 

Some of you will have been able to complete your clinical validation process already. The Trust IT department is prioritising arrangements that will allow all clinicians to complete the process as soon as possible. It involves accessing digitally scanned slides within the IMS which have been placed in easy-to-access, discipline-specific folders. When this has been done, Clinical Leads will provide sign off. Clinicians can turn to their respective Clinical Leads for support during the period of clinical validation.