Pathalba
Updated March 2008
Pathalba is a Scottish Government funded grant award held with the University of Dundee to the value of £600,000. It was awarded to ascertain the efficacy of the use of digital images in pathology. The Grant holder and Chair of the group from 2005 to 2007 was Dr Alistair Robertson who sadly died in December 2007 and at the Board meeting in February 2008 the group recognised the leadership and drive Alistair had provided.
The direction for the project is provided through the Pathalba Board and at the Board meeting in February Dr Jeremy Thomas agreed to take over Chairmanship. Derek Bishop the SPAN (Scottish Pathology Network) manager has provided project management support since October 2005.
The note of meeting of the February Board plus a discussion paper on updated Terms of Reference for sharing digital images and synoptic reporting is appended below:
- Note of the Meeting of the Pathalba Project Board, 26 February 2008 (PDF)
- Investigation of Provision of Cross Boundary Image Sharing and Synoptic Reporting for Pathalba: Terms of Reference (PDF)
At the Board meeting in February the essential outcomes in addition to the new chair appointment were:
- The increasing demand for reporting to minimum datasets and a recognition by the Board of the development of a feasibility project to facilitate minimum dataset reporting linked to national E Health Strategy. Some scoping work on has been commissioned through the Generic Clinical System Cancer Board. Also to delay the procurement of static image sharing awaiting national developments.
- Recognition that Pathalba was a research and development grant to assess the use of digital imaging. In that light, scope the potential of using the newer generation of slide scanning systems as a proof of principle. To invite applications from interested pathologists across the country to outline proposals for the use of this type of technology in small defined short term projects which may show patient benefit.
We hope this update has been useful. If you require further information please get in touch with:
| Jeremy Thomas | Derek Bishop |
| Department of Pathology | Department of Pathology |
| Western General Hospital | Ninewells Hospital |
| Edinburgh | Dundee |
| EH4 2XU | DD1 9SY |
| Jeremy.Thomas@luht.scot.nhs.uk | derek.bishop@nhs.net |