medical diagnostics

A new pathology hub has been inaugurated at Bournemouth Hospital, offering vital services to the local community with its state-of-the-art medical diagnostics technology. The £24 million facility is set to significantly support patient care across the region. The hub will benefit Bournemouth University (BU) students by providing placement opportunities, facilitated through an official partnership between BU and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD). The facility’s official opening saw the attendance of BU staff and students, with BU’s Chancellor Dr. Kate Adie CBE, DL unveiling the official plaque. UHD supports BU’s health and biomedical science courses, with UHD staff frequently visiting to deliver education to students and collaborate on research. Dr. Anna Mantzouratou, Programme Leader of BU’s Biomedical Sciences degree and Principal Academic in Human Genetics, expressed enthusiasm for the new hub: “The new Pathology Hub is an amazing space. The equipment is brand new, featuring high-tech, high-throughput machines to assist the local area.” She highlighted the importance of the partnership between UHD and BU: “The hospital needs trained scientists, and the university trains scientists. Our students can take part in placements at the hospital and gain vital experience to advance their careers. Many of our graduates have been offered jobs at the hospital, making it a mutually beneficial experience for both students and staff.” BU Biomedical Sciences student Berfin Demirtas, who represented BU students at the official opening, shared her insights: “The new facilities and processes are impressive. We observed various pathology processes, including tissue sampling, haematology, and immunology. It’s a great experience for students to gain work experience or potentially work here after their degrees.” Backed by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the hub, which opened in November 2023, is expected to perform over 9 million tests annually.