This week (Wednesday 22 May) Dorset LEP was proud to share in the official opening celebrations of the new Dorset Pathology Hub on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site. Marking a 'new era' in medical diagnostics and patient care in Dorset.
Dorset LEP supported the innovate, new £24m Pathology Hub facility, with a £2.7 million Local Growth Fund investment in the histopathology diagnostic department – a specialist branch of pathology, essential to the diagnosis of cancer and many other diseases. This investment formed part of Dorset LEPs initiatives to support Covid-19 recovery and accelerate healthcare resilience in the county.
The state-of-the-art Dorset Pathology Hub facility is part of the One Dorset Pathology network - a collaborative partnership between Dorset County Hospital and University Hospitals Dorset – and is located on the Wessex Fields site next to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
The new laboratory, which opened in November 2023, is designed for rapid routine and advanced specialist testing including digital pathology and artificial intelligence. It will support hospitals across the region to improve diagnostics for patients and help to meet growing demand for specialist treatment and care.
Dr. Katie Adie CBE DL, broadcaster and Chancellor of Bournemouth University (pictured second from right, below), unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Steve Hiorns (pictured below), the patient whose blood was the first to be analysed at the hub, cut a ribbon to officially open the facility.
Commenting on the new state-of-the-art Dorset Pathology Hub official opening, Cecila Bufton, Chair of the Dorset LEP Board says:
“It is a proud moment for Dorset LEP to witness the impact our £2.7 million investment into the histopathology diagnostic service is having on the health and communities right across Dorset. The state-of-the-art laboratory, located at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, supports hospitals across the region, offering a fast, accurate, routine and specialist testing service. Having started my career in laboratory diagnostics, I am fully aware how such a service can make a significant difference to health outcomes for people in Dorset.”
Mark Mould, UHD’s chief operating officer and the project’s senior responsible officer, expressed his gratitude during the celebration event, by saying:
“This is a special day as we celebrate a new era for our local NHS and the patients we serve. Delivering a project of this scale is a true team effort, and we are grateful for the support of our partners, many of whom were able to join us at the event.
“This project has not just been about buildings but building futures – the Hub improves diagnostics for patients, helping to meet the growing demand for specialist treatment, as well as providing development opportunities for staff.”
A photo montage video of the build is available to view here.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
About Dorset LEP
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP invested £2.7 million into the Dorset Pathology Hub through the Local Growth Fund – in support of economic growth for Dorset. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset.
About Dorset Pathology Hub
This new £24m facility is equipped with the latest specialist technology, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective diagnostics and care for patients across the region. The hub is already making a significant impact, particularly through the benefits of personalised medicine and the implementation of AI and deep learning in cancer diagnostics.
The Hub opened in November 2023, with the molecular pathology the first team to move in. It currently works to process over 9 million tests per year, diagnose conditions in around 80% of all patients seen by the NHS and employs 200 staff - offering 24/7 365 days a year support.
To find out more about One Dorset Pathology – click here.