6th NHS Pathology Conference: Improving NHS Diagnostics

Clinical Diagnostics & Medical Sciences

08:30 am
04 Nov, 2025
The Studio, 3rd Floor, 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP

6th NHS Pathology Conference: Improving NHS Diagnostics

Clinical Diagnostics & Medical Sciences

08:30 am
04 Nov, 2025
The Studio, 3rd Floor, 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP

Driving System-Wide Diagnostic Excellence: A Strategic Summit for NHS Pathology Leaders - All Convenzis Events Provide 8 CPD Points Per Delegate

Pathology is the foundation of modern medicine, underpinning diagnosis, prevention, and treatment across the NHS. Yet persistent backlogs, workforce shortages, and ageing IT systems continue to challenge service quality and patient safety.

The 2025 NHS 10-Year Health Plan and its £3.4 billion investment in data and technology now create a pivotal opportunity to modernise - but success depends on people, capability, and system readiness.

The 6th NHS Pathology Conference goes beyond policy updates to focus on the practical skills needed to build a resilient, digital-first diagnostics service. Through skill clinics, real-world case studies, and lessons from national networks, attendees will gain actionable methods to strengthen workforce capacity, digital integration, and quality assurance across the diagnostics pathway.

This year’s event is framed around learning outcomes, not just discussion. Attendees will hear from NHS peers, national bodies, and industry partners, but the emphasis will be on:

  • Modernising pathology safely: scaling digital histopathology and AI-enabled reporting while maintaining quality and governance.
  • Strengthening the workforce: practical models for upskilling biomedical scientists, developing advanced roles, and embedding continuous learning.
  • Building IT and operational resilience: managing LIMS failures, mitigating cyber risks, and planning for service continuity.
  • Standardising governance and interoperability: adopting FHIR and national frameworks to connect pathology networks and community diagnostics.
  • Linking pathology to prevention and genomics: applying data-driven insights to support earlier detection and precision medicine.

Why Attend:

Earn 8 CPD Points by attending.

This conference is designed to equip laboratory leaders, digital and operational managers, and clinical scientists with the skills, tools, and partnerships to deliver sustainable improvement. Attendees can expect:

  • Hands-on learning – skill clinics and interactive sessions designed to build practical capability in digital transformation and workforce resilience.
  • Real-world insights – case studies from leading pathology networks showcasing measurable results and implementation lessons.
  • Actionable templates and frameworks – governance toolkits, workforce planning guides, and risk-management checklists to take back to your teams.
  • Collaborative connections – opportunities to engage with NHS England, IBMS, RCPath, and industry leaders driving diagnostic excellence.

The 6th NHS Pathology Conference is more than a policy briefing - it’s a skills clinic for NHS pathology professionals ready to modernise diagnostics, strengthen safety, and lead the next decade of digitally enabled care.

Who Would Benefit:

This event is ideal for pathology leaders, biomedical scientists, and digital transformation professionals responsible for driving improvement in diagnostics. It will also benefit ICS commissioners, clinical directors, governance leads, and IT infrastructure managers seeking practical insight into building resilient, connected, and data-driven diagnostic services.

Suppliers and partners supporting NHS pathology networks will gain a clear understanding of workforce, interoperability, and governance priorities shaping the sector’s digital future.

Headline Sponsor

The programme

08:30

Registration & Networking

Registration & Networking

09:30

Chair Opening Address

Mr Chris Sleight MSc BSc FIBMS
Ex Diagnostics Leader within the NHS

Welcome and framing of the day: an urgent call to modernise pathology in the context of the NHS 10-Year Plan, diagnostic backlogs, and digital transformation.

09:40

Keynote Presentation - The Role of Pathology in Delivering NHS 2035 (Confirmed)

Bruce Daniel
Head of Pathology
NHS England – South West Region

Pathology networks are moving toward leading pathology service provision across their footprints. How far can this go, and what further changes will be required? In parallel, pathology services could and should become more effective in enhancing prevention and treatment pathways transitioning this into the principles outlined in the 10 Year Plan.  How do we move the focus to the function of networks and what part will finance, staffing and digital play in this towards 2035?

10:00

BIVDA Q&A Session: Diagnostics at the Heart of NHS Transformation: Innovation, AI, and Community Testing

Beth Loudon
Head of Market Access
BIVDA
Angela Douglas MBE
President
BIVDA

In this interactive Q&A, Helen Dent (Chief Executive, BIVDA) and Angela Douglas MBE (President, BIVDA) will explore how in-vitro diagnostics can play a pivotal role in delivering the NHS 10-Year Plan.

The discussion will focus on three critical themes: the expansion of diagnostics into community and prevention settings, the impact of innovation, AI, and automation on reducing laboratory workloads and turnaround times, and how stronger partnerships between industry and the NHS can build resilient, sustainable diagnostic services. 

Delegates will have the opportunity to put questions directly to the speakers and consider how collaborative models can help overcome the current challenges facing pathology.

Speakers:

  • Angela Douglas MBE, President of BIVDA (Confirmed)
  • Beth Loudon, Head of Market Access, BIVDA (Confirmed)

10:30

Main Sponsor - Analogue to Digital: Revolutionising Pathology to Cut Diagnostic Delays

Jade Erwin
Digital Integrations Manager
Source LDPath

Main Sponsor - Source LDPath

A case study showcasing the move from traditional histopathology workflows to a fully digitised solution, cutting turnaround times from over four weeks to under 10 days in line with the updated 10 year NHS Long Term Plan.

10:50

Morning Break & Networking

Morning Break & Networking

11:50

Chair Morning Reflection

Mr Chris Sleight MSc BSc FIBMS
Ex Diagnostics Leader within the NHS

Chair Morning Reflection

11:55

Case Study - ProfilerLive

Case Study - ProfilerLive

12:15

Case Study - Aiforia

Case Study - Aiforia

12:35

Fireside Interview - Building the Pathology Network of the Future: Lessons from the Black Country (Confirmed)

Dr Branko Perunovic
Chief Medical Officer
Black Country Pathology Service

In this fireside interview, Dr Branko Perunovic (Chief Medical Officer, Black Country Pathology Service) will share insights from leading one of the NHS’s largest pathology networks.

The discussion will explore how integrated networks can deliver resilience, improve turnaround times, and support the digital transformation agenda.

Dr Perunovic will reflect on practical lessons from consolidation, workforce development, and the adoption of innovative technologies, offering delegates a real-world perspective on how pathology can act as a catalyst for the NHS 10-Year Plan.

12:55

Case Study - InterSystems

Case Study - InterSystems

13:15

Lunch & Networking

Lunch & Networking

14:00

Chair Afternoon Address

Mr Chris Sleight MSc BSc FIBMS
Ex Diagnostics Leader within the NHS

Chair Afternoon Address

14:05

Case Study - Diagnexia

James Johnson
Senior Director Automation and Integration
Diagnexia

Case Study - Diagnexia

14:25

Panel Q&A: People at the Core: Tackling Workforce Challenges in NHS Diagnostics and Pathology Networks

Francesca Trundle
Managing Director
Kent and Medway Pathology Network
Angela Jean-Francois CSci FIBMS HCPC
Director of Operations
North West London Pathology

The success of NHS Diagnostics and Pathology Networks depends on a resilient and skilled workforce. Yet services are facing increasing pressure from staff shortages, an ageing workforce, and rising demand for timely diagnostics. This panel debate will examine the key workforce challenges across pathology networks, including recruitment, retention, training pathways, and the integration of new roles and technologies.

Panellists will explore how collaboration across networks can drive sustainable workforce solutions, support innovation, and safeguard high-quality patient care. The discussion will invite fresh perspectives on building a workforce strategy that meets the future needs of diagnostics and pathology services across the NHS.

Panellists:

  • Angela Jean-Francois, Director of Operations, Northwest London Pathology Network (Confirmed)
  • Francesca Trundle, Managing Director, Kent and Medway Pathology Network (KMPN) (Confirmed)

14:45

Case Study

Case Study

15:05

Presentation - Stronger Together: Practical Teamworking & Collaboration for Better Patient Outcomes (Speaker Invited)

Pathology and laboratory services rely on seamless collaboration — between scientists, clinicians, and wider healthcare teams — to deliver safe, timely, and effective patient care. Yet, under pressure and complexity, teamwork can break down.

In this highly interactive workshop, Jason Greasley, Leadership Consultant & Head of Coaching and Leadership Transformation at the Buckinghamshire Health & Social Care Academy, draws on leadership lessons from the British Army and NHS to explore how individuals can build stronger, more connected teams.

Through real-world scenarios, group discussion, and practical activities, participants will:

  • Understand the core ingredients of high-performing, collaborative teams in healthcare.
  • Explore communication tools that prevent misunderstandings and strengthen trust.
  • Learn how to navigate conflict constructively and maintain psychological safety.
  • Identify personal actions to enhance collaboration within and across departments.

Speaker:

  • Jason Greasley, Leadership Consultant & Head of Coaching and Leadership Transformation, Buckinghamshire Health & Social Care Academy (Invited)

15:25

Pathology as a Catalyst for NHS Transformation Panel Discussion

This interactive, solution-focused panel discussion will engage attendees and facilitate a discussion to explore how pathology can actively drive NHS transformation in line with the 10-Year Plan.

Using real-world case challenges (e.g. IT failures, workforce gaps, digital scaling), participants will discuss co-design action plans for embedding pathology in community diagnostic centres, strengthening governance, and expanding digital capability.

Panellists:

  • Dr Branko Perunovic DM FRCPath FEBP MBA, Chief Medical Officer | Black Country Pathology Service (Provisionally Confirmed)

15:45

Hot Buffet Food & Drinks

Hot Buffet Food & Drinks

17:00

End of Day

End of Day

Convenzisvents

Your Pass Includes....

  • This conference is CPD accredited. Attendees will be eligible to gain 8 CPD points upon completion of the event.
  • Access to a leading conference speaker programme
  • Interactive Q&A sessions
  • Fireside interviews
  • Cross-sector best practice
  • Meet the supplier opportunities
  • Hot breakfast & Lunch included
  • Access to post event drinks reception and Street food

Tickets For NHS Senior Managers

We have an invite only option for NHS Senior Managers for our conference, to see if you qualify for a complimentary place please click the button below.

Register your place

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Charity, Not for Profit and University (In-Person)
£203.99 excl VAT
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Private Sector (In-Person)
£500.00 excl VAT
Limited places
0
Free NHS Ticket
£0.00 No VAT
Limited places
0

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