A guided tour of cellular pathology at One Dorset Pathology.
One Dorset Pathology (ODP) is a partnership between Dorset County Hospital and University Hospitals Dorset (Poole Hospital and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals). Cellular Pathology in ODP is split into specialist areas: histology, cytology, Mohs’, andrology, and mortuary services. There are over 100 staff working in cellular pathology, providing an interpretive diagnostic service on a wide range of clinical samples and processing just under 60,000 histology cases, 3000 diagnostic cytology specimens, and around 2000 andrology samples per annum. In cytology, biomedical scientists assist in clinical sample collection, providing a rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) service. Frozen sections are carried out on all three sites with a Mohs’ clinic at Christchurch. After extensive planning, design work, rigorous verification and validation, Histopathology moved into the Dorset Pathology Hub - our new state-of-the-art facility located adjacent to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Our main aim is to be at the front edge of histopathology diagnostics to meet the growing demand for specialised treatment and care for all cancer patients throughout Dorset. The Dorset digital pathology system is currently live in a pre-production environment, and a business case has been formulated to support the full rollout, including artificial intelligence solutions for breast and prostate workflows. Onboarding a macro-imaging solution in histology, allows us to capture digital images during dissection and integrate them with our digital pathology solution. Our aim is to deploy a “first-in-UK” enhanced reporting and business intelligence solution linked to our digital pathology system – significantly enhancing the histology reporting process and improving recruitment and retention.
We are currently supporting two biomedical scientists on the IBMS/RCPath training pathway to report gastrointestinal and gynaecological cases, and three biomedical scientists are on the IBMS/RCPath training pathway to support advanced dissection.
As an IBMS-accredited training laboratory, we offer training and development opportunities in the form of registration, specialist, higher specialist, and support staff portfolios. Our UKAS assessors have been particularly impressed with our “all-inclusive, holistic and supportive approach to training” and we are proud to be affiliated to work in close partnership with Bournemouth University.
Our Immunohistochemistry section utilises four BenchMark Ultra platforms used for an array of diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive antibodies and we have just concluded an assessment into the suitability of a “3-in-1 prostate cancer antibody cocktail,” which can help differentiate adenocarcinoma from other entities. Successful implementation of this biomarker and others in diagnostic practice is hugely beneficial in tailoring specific treatment pathways for patients.
UKAS assessors frequently compliment us on our team ethos: “professional, calm - all the staff are really happy.” During Healthcare Science Week, University Hospitals Dorset held their own annual Healthcare Science Awards celebrating and recognising the positive impact of healthcare scientists. These awards were fiercely contested and for the second year in a row, Cellular Pathology received multiple awards. This year we received awards for: Lifetime Achievement, Apprentice of the Year, Assistant of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Leader of the Year, Digital, Research and Innovation, and Health Equity Champion.
Cellular Pathology has a strong team culture where values and missions are clearly defined. Staff are empowered to work both individually and collectively on achieving the highest level of patient care. It is a real privilege to be part of such an innovative and proactive team who take immense pride in their performance ensuring patients are at the centre of all their duties.
Lab facts
- There are over 100 staff working in cellular pathology, providing an interpretive diagnostic service on a wide range of clinical samples.
- They process just under 60,000 histology cases, 3000 diagnostic cytology specimens, and around 2000 andrology samples per annum.
- UKAS assessors praised the “all-inclusive, holistic and supportive approach to training” and staff are empowered to work both individually and collectively on achieving the highest level of patient care.
Image credit | Supplied
