Partnership with Exponential-e
The Peninsula Pathology Network has formed a partnership with Exponential-e, a UK provider specializing in cloud services, connectivity, communications, and cybersecurity, to establish a secure private cloud environment.
Contract and Implementation Timeline
- A four-year contract was signed in February 2024.
- The secure private cloud went live in February 2025.
Goals of the Cloud Environment
The new cloud solution aims to:
- Connect and integrate data from five pathology service sites across Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly.
- Enhance collaboration and innovation within the network.
Vision for Pathology Services
David Gibbs, the pathology network director, stated:
“Our vision is to deliver the most effective model of pathology for the South West Peninsula, ensuring clinical pathways that are reliant on these services are as efficient and impactful as possible.”
He emphasized that centralizing the storage environment will:
- Maximize resource allocation.
- Improve laboratory productivity.
Sustainability and Future Integration
By moving to a unified digital infrastructure, the Peninsula Pathology Network aims to:
- Create a sustainable service model.
- Meet the evolving needs of patients and clinicians.
With over 39 million tests conducted annually across the five sites, the upgraded infrastructure is designed to:
- Simplify the process of obtaining second opinions.
- Support specialist referrals.
- Ensure robust business continuity.
This transition also lays the groundwork for future integration of artificial intelligence in pathology services.
Funding and Support
This initiative is part of the Peninsula’s digital pathology program, which receives funding from NHS England’s Digital Diagnostics Capabilities Programme.
Expertise of Exponential-e
Exponential-e was chosen for its proficiency in managing cybersecurity challenges and its experience as the infrastructure provider for the National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC).
Afshin Attari, senior director at Exponential-e, remarked:
“We’re proud to support the Peninsula Pathology Network in its digital pathology journey. By centrally hosting data from the multiple sites, we’re enabling the network to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and lay the groundwork for future innovations in pathology.”
Related Developments
In a similar vein, the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaboration of six NHS trusts, launched its digitized pathology departments in April 2024, supported by NPIC. This initiative is noted as one of the largest IT projects the NHS has undertaken in over two decades, allowing member trusts to access a digital pathology system for ultra-high-definition slide scanning and instant sharing.