#United Kingdom #Oxford #Sectra #NHS #Diagnexia

Diagnexia and Sectra Join Forces for NHS Pathology Reporting

In a significant move for the UK's healthcare system, Diagnexia, a leading provider of digital pathology services, has entered into a partnership with Sectra, an international company renowned for its medical imaging IT and cybersecurity solutions. This collaboration aims to streamline and enhance pathology reporting for the National Health Service (NHS), significantly improving patient care through faster and more efficient reporting workflows.

The Agreement and Its Implications

The newly established agreement allows Diagnexia to utilize Sectra’s cutting-edge services to facilitate advanced sharing and collaborative workflows related to pathology cases. By doing so, Diagnexia can receive, send, and report pathology cases digitally, benefitting NHS organizations that require input from external specialists. This new operational capability lays the groundwork for a national telepathology network in the UK, which will improve access to necessary specialist expertise for patients across the country.

Donal O'Shea, CEO of Diagnexia, highlighted that the UK pathology sector has spent the last decade building digital capabilities incrementally. He noted, "Sectra has already executed the groundwork by connecting over 500 institutions within the realm of radiology. Now, with Diagnexia part of that network, the stage is set for a more streamlined conversation about patient care."

Overview of Diagnexia's Operations

Diagnexia stands as a vital diagnostic partner for over 30 NHS organizations, facilitating access to more than 250 GMC-registered specialist pathologists. The company's services encompass a range of needs, from routine cases to urgent specialized assessments and backlog management, complemented by regular multi-disciplinary team attendance. To further support NHS services, Diagnexia integrates seamlessly with existing Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). With a UKAS-accredited histology laboratory in Oxford and digital processing facilities in both Oxford and Exeter, Diagnexia meets regulatory requirements set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Sectra’s Image Exchange Portal

At the heart of this collaboration is Sectra's Image Exchange Portal (IEP), a cloud-based platform designed for the exchange and collaboration of medical images. This innovative vendor-neutral system is currently in use by more than 500 institutions, predominantly in radiology, allowing healthcare providers to handle advanced workflows more effectively. Importantly, the IEP is versatile, catering to a variety of medical specialties beyond radiology and supporting organizations in managing workflows collaboratively.

Jane Rendall, Managing Director of Sectra UK and Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Every new connection strengthens the overall network. With Diagnexia joining IEP, we are one step closer to realizing a national telepathology network. For those hospitals already linked to IEP, the benefits are immediate; they can now access Diagnexia’s reporting capabilities without any need for new integrations or additional supplier onboarding."

Addressing Current Challenges in NHS Pathology

The NHS is currently grappling with increasing pathology case volumes, compounded by a limited number of reporting consultants. The growing trend of subspecialization further complicates this issue, often necessitating access to pathologists located at other institutions. Presently, the process of outsourcing work to external capacity providers involves numerous bespoke arrangements, including the cumbersome transportation of physical glass slides. Such methods not only prolong reporting times but also create significant administrative burdens for both sending and receiving laboratories.

By leveraging Sectra’s services, laboratories can initiate a case directly from their worklist, assign it to a chosen receiving organization, and efficiently return the completed report back to their records. This streamlined workflow aims to significantly reduce reporting turnaround times, enable better management of increased demand, and alleviate existing backlogs.

Conclusion

The contract signed in the second quarter of Sectra's 2026/2027 fiscal year not only marks the beginning of a promising collaborative journey but also includes provisions for handling up to 100,000 cases in the first year. As the NHS continues to evolve and adapt to the challenges posed by rising case volumes and demands for specialist attention, partnerships like that between Diagnexia and Sectra will be crucial in enhancing the quality of patient care across the UK.

For those seeking more information regarding this partnership, contact details for key Sectra executives are provided, emphasizing the transparency and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes through technology.