Diagnexia, the clinical digital pathology service of Deciphex, has opened a new, cutting-edge histopathology laboratory in Oxford.
This advanced facility is set to significantly expand capacity for processing pathology samples in the UK, with the ability to handle up to 400,000 specimens annually, addressing the increasing demand for diagnostic services across the country.
The Oxford laboratory, which has recently achieved CQC (Care Quality Commission) registration, will operate alongside Diagnexia’s existing digital pathology accessioning laboratory in Exeter. Together, these two facilities form a comprehensive service offering that combines physical sample processing with state-of-the-art digital pathology workflows, providing faster, more efficient diagnostic solutions to hospitals and healthcare providers.
"The opening of this facility marks a significant step forward in our commitment to addressing the critical needs of the UK’s healthcare system," said Donal O'Shea, CEO of Diagnexia. "This new laboratory will allow us to deliver high-quality, responsive pathology services, supporting the NHS in managing growing diagnostic workloads and ultimately improving patient outcomes."
The facility is working towards securing UKAS accreditation to further strengthen its support for the National Health Service (NHS), ensuring that Diagnexia continues to meet the needs of hospitals and healthcare providers across the UK.
In addition to supporting NHS pathology services, the Oxford laboratory is set to expand Diagnexia's capabilities in clinical trial services over the next 12 months. The site will play a key role in advancing medical research by offering specialised histopathology services for pharmaceutical companies and clinical trial sponsors, fostering new developments in patient care.
The Oxford facility is a wet laboratory specialising in the receipt, processing, and staining of tissue samples, which complements Diagnexia’s existing digital accessioning laboratory in Exeter. While Oxford handles physical sample preparation, Exeter provides fully digital case management, enabling seamless integration between physical and digital workflows. Together, these two facilities offer an end-to-end pathology service that enhances diagnostic accuracy and supports faster clinical decision-making.
Through its integrated digital pathology platform, Diagnexia allows hospitals to connect with an international network of over 80 subspecialty pathologists. The platform eliminates the need for shipping physical slides by using digital images, speeding up the process of case assignment and review. This fully digital workflow allows NHS hospitals to manage backlogs, reduce turnaround times, and respond quickly to surges in demand for diagnostic services.