The programme
08:20
Registration & Networking
Registration - Open from 8:20 am - Closes at 11:00 am
All delegates must complete their registration process before the 11:00 AM cut-off time. Please arrive in a timely manner to allow for registration and to avoid any inconvenience. Delegates who arrive after the registration deadline will be refused entry to the event.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain the event's schedule and ensuring that everyone can fully participate in the conference. If you have any questions or require assistance, our event staff will be available to assist you with the registration process.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to an insightful and productive event together!
09:20
Chair Opening Address (Confirmed)
Mr Chris Sleight MSc BSc FIBMS
Chief Executive Officer of Sleight Insights
Formerly Chief Officer of the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Networks
Chair Opening Address (Confirmed)
09:30
Keynote Presentation - Implementing Automation in Cellular Pathology at Scale (Confirmed)
David Gibbs
Pathology Network Director
Peninsula Pathology Network
Session Overview:
Working with NHSE an 7 other network locations across England to truly understand the potential of automation in Cellular Pathology.
09:50
Morning Skill Clinic - From Vision to Reality: Embedding Digital Pathology, AI and Automation into Day-to-Day Laboratory Practice (Provisionally Confirmed)
Speakers:
Raja Noman Manzoor, Pathology Laboratory Director, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Provisionally Confirmed)
Session Overview:
Digital pathology, artificial intelligence and laboratory automation are rapidly moving from strategic ambition to operational reality across NHS pathology services. However, successful implementation requires more than technology alone.
This session will explore how laboratories are embedding these innovations into routine practice, examining service readiness, governance frameworks, workforce implications and operational redesign. The discussion will focus on how pathology leaders are aligning digital transformation with clinical assurance, service sustainability and modern laboratory workflows.
10:30
Main Sponsor - Source LDPath
Main Sponsor - Source LDPath
About us:
Source LDPath, a part of the Source BioScience group, provides industry leading histopathology services with a focus on digital pathology and AI.
Our comprehensive clinical healthcare offering spans histopathology—integrating digital pathology and AI—through to molecular diagnostics, creating a seamless workflow for precision medicine. Using advanced slide scanning and high-resolution imaging, our digital pathology solutions transform traditional diagnostics with enhanced efficiency and accuracy.
We collaborate with an extensive network of over 280+ of Specialist Consultant Pathologists, all accredited by the Royal College of Pathologists and General Medical Council, while also adhering to the rigorous standards of the College of American Pathologists. By embracing digital pathology and AI, we enable real-time analysis and high-throughput capabilities, empowering pathologists to deliver rapid, high-quality diagnostic insights.
11:50
Chair Morning Reflection (Confirmed)
Mr Chris Sleight MSc BSc FIBMS
Chief Executive Officer of Sleight Insights
Formerly Chief Officer of the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Networks
Chair Morning Reflection (Confirmed)
11:55
Case Study - ProfilerLive
Case Study - ProfilerLive
About us:
ProfilerLive is a cutting-edge digital training and competency management platform designed to streamline workforce training and compliance processes. ProfilerLive enables organisations to automate training, track competency progress in real time, and ensure regulatory compliance. With its intuitive interface, real-time reporting, and comprehensive analytics, ProfilerLive empowers managers to make data-driven decisions and optimise workforce planning.
Case Study - Diagnexia
About us:
Diagnexia stands at the forefront of digital pathology services in the UK, providing an innovative, on-demand network of expert subspecialty pathologists dedicated to supporting the NHS and healthcare providers across the UK. With a commitment to speed, compliance, and expertise, Diagnexia offers a swift 3-5 day turnaround for primary diagnostic reports and 7-10 days for secondary consults, ensuring timely and accurate diagnostic services. Recognised for its digital excellence, Diagnexia facilitates seamless, intuitive reporting and case management from anywhere, ensuring that the NHS, has access to top pathology minds, thereby enhancing patient outcomes, reducing backlogs, and ensuring balanced workloads across pathology departments.
12:35
Leadership Insights - Building the Future Pathology Workforce (Confirmed)
Catherine Ross
Chief Scientific Officer
Scottish Government
Session Overview:
Strong scientific leadership will be essential as pathology services navigate increasing demand, technological change and evolving workforce expectations. Developing the next generation of leaders while supporting today’s workforce is now a critical priority for health systems across the UK.
In this leadership insight session, Catherine Ross will share perspectives from across Scotland’s diagnostic services, reflecting on leadership, workforce development and system collaboration.
The discussion will consider how scientific leadership can support innovation, workforce resilience and sustainable diagnostic services.
Case Study - Clinisys
Clinisys is a global provider of intelligent diagnostic informatics solutions and expertise designed to redefine the modern laboratory, across healthcare, life sciences, and public health. Millions of diagnostic results and data insights are generated every day using Clinisys’ LIMS and order communications solutions in over 3,000 laboratories across 34 countries.
For more than forty years, Clinisys has served laboratories operating in a range of industries and disciplines. We equip labs with the efficient workflows, accessible data, and innovative tools needed to offer improved decision making, rapid testing, and advanced diagnostic services.
By defining the optimum modern laboratory platform, we have enabled labs to scale rapidly, respond to their customers with agility, and improve their services and capabilities.
Clinisys’ mission is to enhance the effectiveness of diagnostic workflows in any laboratory or testing environment to keep citizens and communities healthier and safer.
14:00
Chair Afternoon Address (Confirmed)
Mr Chris Sleight MSc BSc FIBMS
Chief Executive Officer of Sleight Insights
Formerly Chief Officer of the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Networks
Chair Afternoon Address (Confirmed)
14:05
Case Study - Automating pre-analytics: powered by Indexor, a sustainable and safe transport system for Pathology Networks
Case Study - Abbott
From removing the regular pain of fingersticks as people manage their diabetes to connecting patients to doctors with real-time information monitoring their hearts, from easing chronic pain and movement disorders to testing half the world’s blood donations to ensure a healthy supply, our purpose is to make the world a better place by bringing life-changing health technologies to the people who need them. That’s our commitment to helping you live your best life.
14:25
NHS Deep Dive - Pathology Networks in Practice: Governance, Accountability and Operational Flow (Speakers TBC)
Session Overview:
This NHS deep dive examines how pathology networks are operating in practice, beyond organisational charts and programme plans. The session will explore governance structures, accountability models, and operational processes that enable networks to function effectively across multiple providers.
Delegates will hear how services are addressing variation, managing performance, and ensuring clarity of clinical and operational responsibility within networked delivery models.
Key Outcomes:
- Understand how effective pathology network governance is structured.
- Learn how accountability is maintained across multi-provider services.
- Explore approaches to managing performance and variation at scale.
15:05
NHS Deep Dive - Improving Turnaround Times and Capacity: Pathway Flow, Sample Logistics and Backlog Reduction in Pathology (Speakers TBC)
Session Overview:
This NHS deep dive focuses on the operational challenge of turnaround times, backlog management and capacity optimisation across modern pathology services.
Drawing on NHS experience, the session will explore how services are redesigning laboratory workflows, improving sample logistics, introducing automation and using digital tools to improve performance without compromising quality.
The discussion will also consider how end-to-end diagnostic pathways, including sample transport, tracking systems and networked laboratory delivery models, influence turnaround times across integrated pathology networks.
The emphasis will be on practical actions taken, lessons learned and the trade-offs involved in real-world delivery.
Key Outcomes:
- Identify operational levers for improving turnaround times.
- Understand the role of sample logistics and pathway flow in diagnostic performance.
- Learn how services are balancing demand, workforce and quality.
- Take away practical approaches to backlog reduction.
15:25
Afternoon Skill Clinic - The Future of Pathology Networks: Automation, Innovation and the End to End Diagnostic Pathway (Speakers TBC)
Speakers:
Angela Douglas MBE, President, British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA) (Provisionally Confirmed)
Session Overview:
As pathology services continue to evolve within regional networks, leaders across the sector are navigating a complex transformation landscape spanning laboratory automation, service consolidation, workforce pressures and increasingly sophisticated diagnostic logistics.
This closing panel brings together voices from across the diagnostics ecosystem to explore how blood sciences and microbiology services are being reshaped, how automation and innovation are transforming laboratory operations, and how end to end diagnostic pathways from sample collection through to result delivery must adapt to support faster, more integrated patient care.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Gain insight into how blood sciences and microbiology services are evolving within modern pathology networks and what this means for future service design.
- Understand the role automation and laboratory innovation are playing in improving efficiency, turnaround times and diagnostic capability.
- Explore practical approaches to strengthening end to end diagnostic logistics, from sample collection and transport through to integrated reporting and results delivery.
15:25
Breakout Skill Clinic - Making the Case for Change: Building Business Cases for Pathology Transformation (Speakers TBC)
Session Overview:
This small-group breakout clinic is designed for delegates directly involved in planning or leading change within pathology services. The session will provide practical guidance on how to build compelling, evidence-based business cases for service redesign, digital investment, workforce development, or network change.
Participants will work through real examples and structured templates, focusing on aligning clinical benefit, operational impact, financial justification, and system priorities.
Key Outcomes:
- Understand the components of a strong pathology business case.
- Learn how to articulate clinical, operational and financial value.
- Take away a clear structure for developing locally relevant proposals.
15:55
Hot Buffet food and drinks
Hot Buffet food and drinks
