More than 150 world leading pathologists and IT specialists will be meeting in Leeds today and tomorrow for the National Pathology IT Summit – 2013 to discuss and shape the future digital strategy for pathology services across the NHS.

Almost all NHS patients access pathology services, and with £2bn invested in services annually, it is clear that the future shape of pathology in the NHS will have a huge influence both on patient care and how services are delivered and commissioned.

The National Pathology IT Summit will play a pivotal role in bringing together clinical and IT experts in order to shape a strategy that will ensure pathology services in England keep pace with international exemplars and deliver efficient, effective and safe services.

The conference forms part of NHS England’s National Pathology Programme, which is led by The NHS Strategic Projects Team, a programme with ambitious aims to ensure that pathology services in England are future-proofed so that they meet the needs of patients today and in coming years.

Chair of the Summit Dr Rick Jones said: “The National Pathology Programme is at the vanguard of NHS England’s strategy for developing a pathology service that maximises its use of technology to deliver a flexible, nimble service that meets the needs of patients and commissioners.”

Dr Rick Jones is Pathology IT Advisor for NHS England’s National Pathology Programme; Senior Lecturer at the Yorkshire Centre Health Informatics, University of Leeds and Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

NHS England’s National Pathology Programme is supported by a range of key stakeholders, who each hold unique expertise and insight that is ensuring the programme meets its objectives: The NHS Strategic Projects Team; Leeds University Yorkshire Centre for Health Informatics; Royal College of Pathologists; Royal College of Radiologists; Royal Academy of Medical Colleges; Health and Social Care Information Centre and X Lab.