‘New era’ for patient care as Dorset Pathology Hub officially opens
A 'new era' in medical diagnostics and patient care in Dorset was celebrated as NHS staff and partners gathered on Wednesday (22 May), to witness patient Steve Hiorns officially open the state-of-the-art Dorset Pathology Hub.
The new £24m facility is equipped with the latest specialist technology, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective diagnostics and care for patients across the region.
The Hub is already making a significant impact, particularly through the benefits of personalised medicine and the implementation of AI and deep learning in cancer diagnostics.
Dr. Katie Adie CBE DL, broadcaster and Chancellor of Bournemouth University, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
Steve Hiorns, the patient whose blood was the first to be analysed at the hub, cut a ribbon to officially open the facility.
Mark Mould, UHD’s chief operating officer and the project’s senior responsible officer, expressed his gratitude during the celebration event:
“This is a special day as we celebrate a new era for our local NHS and the patients we serve.
“Delivering a project of this scale is a true team effort, and we are grateful for the support of our partners, many of whom were able to join us at the event.
“This project has not just been about buildings but building futures – the Hub improves diagnostics for patients, helping to meet the growing demand for specialist treatment, as well as providing development opportunities for staff.”
The new facility is located on the Wessex Fields site next to the Royal Bournemouth hospital and is part of the One Dorset Pathology network - a collaborative partnership between Dorset County Hospital and University Hospitals Dorset.
The project has been backed by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which supported the project with a £2.7 million Local Growth Fund investment in the histopathology diagnostic hub as part of its initiatives to support Covid-19 recovery and accelerate healthcare resilience in the county.
Commenting on the new state-of-the-art Dorset Pathology Hub official opening, Cecila Bufton, chair of the Dorset LEP Board said:
“It is a proud moment for Dorset LEP to witness the impact our £2.7m investment into the histopathology diagnostic service is having on the health and communities right across Dorset.
“The state-of-the-art laboratory at Royal Bournemouth Hospital supports hospitals across the region, offering a fast, accurate, routine and specialist testing service.
“Having started my career in laboratory diagnostics, I am fully aware how such a service can make a significant difference to health outcomes for people in Dorset.”
Jon Daines, managing director of Amiri Construction, added:
"We are thrilled to have completed this project and are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication that brought us to this point. This state-of-the-art Pathology Hub will significantly enhance diagnostic services for NHS teams across Dorset, providing cutting-edge resources that will greatly benefit the community.
"Amiri Construction, a regional contractor based in both Bournemouth and Segensworth near Fareham, has been serving the central south region for nearly 20 years. We pride ourselves on predominantly focusing on the local supply chain, with over 80% of our suppliers for the Pathology Hub project located within 25 miles of the project, keeping the economy within the local area.
"Despite the challenges of starting this build during a global pandemic and facing increased price rises, our team’s dedication and collaborative efforts made this project a success. We are incredibly proud of the building and its future impact on NHS teams across Dorset."
The Hub opened in November 2023, with the molecular pathology the first team to move in. It currently works to process over 9 million tests per year, diagnose conditions in around 80% of all patients seen by the NHS and employs 200 staff - offering 24/7 365 days a year support.
