AXREM is the UK trade association representing the interests of suppliers of diagnostic Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy, Healthcare IT, Care Equipment, and now, Digital Pathology in the UK.
As part of the AXREM Future Leaders, this initiative has been led by the chair, Toby Heath. This initiative aims to bring together stakeholders from across the Digital Pathology workflow, including data storage providers, LIMS (Laboratory Inventory Management Systems) providers, Specimen tracking providers, slide scanner providers, IMS (Image Management Systems) providers, AI providers, screen monitor providers and backlog reporting providers. This ambitious project includes already existing AXREM members who represent a large majority of the UK customer base, and new members who have joined forces to help make an impact on patient care across the UK.
Digital Pathology is a modern, technology-driven approach to Pathology that involves converting traditional glass slides containing tissue samples into digital images. These images are captured using high-resolution scanning systems, and can be viewed, analysed, and shared digitally. This development enables Pathologists to diagnose diseases such as cancers, by examining tissues on a computer screen rather than under a microscope. Key features of the Digital Pathology workflow include but are not limited to:
- Data Storage
- Whole Slide Imaging
- LIMS
- IMS
- AI
AXREM announced and launched the new Digital Pathology Special Focus Group at the International Imaging Congress, taking place at Olympia London, October 7th and 8th. As well as AXREM’s first ever exhibition stand, we organised a panel discussion with leading industry experts to discuss the importance industry plays, and the need for standardisation within Digital Pathology in the UK.
Panellists included existing members such as Fujifilm Healthcare’s Kayleigh Patterson (Product & Release Manager – Digital Pathology UK), Siemen Healthineers’ Ben Reed (Digital Service Business Manager & Chair of the AXREM AI SFG), EIZO’s Dave Hadden (Head of Solutions), and were joined by Laura Holland, representing UKAS. This discussion covered some of the initiatives that AXREM helps to address within Digital Pathology in the UK, such as industry working with governing bodies to help establish and set standards for laboratories across the UK in terms of monitor use, storage guidance, and more.
The first Digital Pathology Special Focus Group meeting is taking place in January 2025 at the AXREM offices in London, and we have already recruited new members to the association from companies working across the pathway, as well as those companies we already have in membership. AXREM will be continuing to partner with the NHS and the Royal College of Pathologists who have been supportive of this development.
Sally Edgington, AXREM CEO said: “This is an exciting development for AXREM, and a natural progression of the areas we cover in diagnostics. As an association we have worked hard over the last few years to widen our member offering and diversify the areas we present, it is testament to this work that the Digital Pathology companies felt that we are the right trade association for them, able to offer an industry voice, member benefits and value for money. I will look forward to working with Digital Pathology companies in developing their voice, ensuring they are well represented in the right forums and meetings, and developing different work streams. I’d like to thank the AXREM Executive Committee and the Future Leaders Council who have helped bring this Special Focus Group to realisation.”
Toby Heath, AXREM Future Leaders Chair said of the development; “Myself and the AXREM Future Leaders are delighted to launch the Digital Pathology Special Focus Group which represents one of our first initiatives. By combining existing members of AXREM and new member companies, we hope to support the growth of AXREM across the Diagnostics Imaging market. We hope that by working together, we can truly make an impact on patient care and diagnosis in the UK.”
