PathXL named Digital Pathology provider for Health Education England’s Genomics Education Programme
HEE’s Genomics Education Programme awards contract to PathXL as Digital Pathology Partner for national training solution in molecular pathology
PathXL is proud to have been selected by NHS Health Education England’s Genomics Education Programme (Birmingham, UK) as the partner for the distribution of molecular pathology training material, including digital whole slide images and training modules to partners of the 100,000 Genomes Project.
Using tissue samples for whole genome sequencing is a relatively new method, and currently there is no standardised training for NHS staff who are undertaking tissue assessment and selection for molecular pathology of this nature. To meet this urgent training need, the Genomics Education Programme (GEP) will publish a collection of compact, focused online modules to educate and train molecular pathology staff in the fundamentals and best practice of tumour assessment. This will help ensure good-quality samples for whole genome sequencing. The training will include a final competency-based assessment.
The GEP will use PathXL Tutor and OnLine Test to manage digital slides and publish content online. Working with subject matter experts to compile course material, incorporating virtual slides, this programme will give users the ability to access a very wide range of training materials specifically for molecular pathology in the 100,000 Genomes Project.
Val Davison, Scientific Adviser for the Genomics Education Programme, explains: “These modules will be applicable to a range of staff including histopathologists, clinical scientists and biomedical scientists. While the primary audience is those staff members working at NHS GMCs during the lifetime of the 100,000 Genomes Project, the modules will continue to be applicable as whole genome sequencing is integrated into clinical care pathways in the future.”
Des Speed, CEO, PathXL says: “We at PathXL are very proud and excited to be part of this innovative project. As evidenced by our development of TissueMark, we see the genomics element of precision medicine as a crucial component in the future of pathology, and are delighted to be able offer our digital pathology education software and expertise as part of the Genomics Education Programme.”
About PathXL
PathXL is a global pioneer in the use of web-based solutions for digital pathology, and provides innovative software for use in drug discovery research, biomarker analysis and education. Their product for the automated identification and annotation of tumour tissue, TissueMark, was awarded the Frost and Sullivan 2014 European New Product Innovation Award for Automated Image Analysis for Digital Pathology.
About Health Education England’s Genomics Education Programme (GEP)
The Genomics Education Programme is a £20 million, three-year programme supported by Health Education England as part of its responsibility to ensure the NHS has the staff it needs to deliver care now and in the future. The GEP is the NHS’s method of ensuring its staff have the knowledge, skills and experience to ensure that the health service remains a world leader in genomic and precision medicine – particularly for NHS England Genomic Medicine Centres (GMCs) and the contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project.
