A Strategic Summit on Strengthening Pathology Services Across Scotland
This conference is CPD accredited. Attendees will be eligible to gain 8 CPD points upon completion of the event.
Pathology services underpin the vast majority of clinical decision-making across the health service, supporting cancer pathways, infection control, screening programmes and the management of long-term conditions. Across NHS Scotland, laboratory services are experiencing growing pressure from rising diagnostic demand, workforce shortages, ageing infrastructure and the need to modernise digital systems.
At the same time, Scotland is advancing a number of initiatives designed to strengthen diagnostics and laboratory services through greater regional collaboration, improved digital connectivity, enhanced logistics and stronger integration with clinical systems.
PathVision Scotland 2026 brings together pathology leaders, laboratory managers, clinicians, digital specialists and system partners from across Scotland and England to explore how pathology services can evolve to meet rising demand while improving quality, resilience and patient outcomes.
The conference will explore how laboratories across Scotland can work together through networked service models, shared infrastructure and coordinated workforce planning. Delegates will also examine how digital transformation, automation and improved connectivity between laboratory information systems and clinical platforms can support faster diagnostics and better clinical decision-making.
With Scotland’s unique geography presenting both opportunities and challenges for service delivery, the event will also explore how laboratories can improve sample logistics, support rural and remote healthcare delivery, and build resilient services capable of supporting national diagnostic ambitions.
Through national insight sessions, operational case studies and skill exchange discussions, PathVision Scotland provides a collaborative environment for NHS leaders and frontline laboratory professionals to share lessons learned and identify practical solutions to strengthen pathology services across the country.
Key Themes:
- Strengthening pathology services across NHS Scotland.
- Regional laboratory collaboration and networked service models.
- Workforce sustainability, recruitment and training challenges.
- Digital pathology, laboratory automation and modernisation.
- LIMS integration and connectivity with wider NHS clinical systems.
- Managing rising demand across microbiology, blood sciences and histopathology.
- Improving diagnostic turnaround times to support urgent care and cancer pathways.
- Sample logistics and service delivery across rural and remote regions.
- Data, analytics and quality improvement in laboratory services.
- Supporting research, innovation and emerging diagnostic technologies.
What to Expect:
National Leadership Perspectives
Strategic insights on the future direction of diagnostics and laboratory collaboration across NHS Scotland.
Operational Case Studies
Real-world examples from pathology services implementing automation, digital systems and service redesign.
Skill Exchange Panels
Peer-to-peer discussions enabling delegates to share experiences and practical lessons across Scotland’s laboratory networks.
Interactive Breakout Clinics
Focused sessions exploring workforce development, digital integration and demand management.
Who Should Attend?
- Pathology Clinical Leads.
- Laboratory Directors and Service Managers.
- Biomedical Scientists and Advanced Practitioners.
- Microbiology, Blood Sciences and Histopathology Leaders.
- Diagnostics and Transformation Leads.
- Digital Pathology and Laboratory IT Specialists.
- NHS Board Diagnostics and Performance Leads.
- Workforce and Education Leads within Laboratory Services.
