AXREM Digital Pathology Collaborative Network publishes new guidance to support the safe, connected and sustainable adoption of digital pathology across the NHS
10 November 2026
The AXREM Digital Pathology Collaborative Network (CN) has published two new guidance documents to support the safe, effective and sustainable implementation of digital pathology services across the NHS and wider UK healthcare system.
The publications, “Digital Pathology Interoperability: Definition, Standards and Regulatory Alignment” and “Procuring a Digital Pathology Solution Clinically Fit for Purpose”, provide practical guidance for healthcare organisations planning, procuring and deploying digital pathology solutions that are scalable, interoperable and aligned with future models of networked care.
Together, the papers set out industry-led recommendations to help NHS organisations maximise the benefits of digital pathology while maintaining patient safety, diagnostic quality, regulatory compliance and long-term operational resilience.
Supporting transformation through digital pathology
Digital pathology is rapidly becoming a key enabler of modern diagnostic services, supporting improved collaboration, remote reporting, workforce flexibility, access to specialist expertise and the safe adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The interoperability position paper highlights the importance of ensuring digital pathology systems can securely exchange and use information across organisational and technology boundaries. It defines the standards, governance principles and regulatory considerations required to support the effective sharing of whole slide images, metadata and associated clinical information throughout the diagnostic pathway.
The guidance advocates adoption of internationally recognised standards including:
- DICOM
- SNOMED CT
- HL7 FHIR
- Standards-based APIs
- Recognised information security controls
to support vendor-neutral environments and enable seamless integration across pathology, radiology, genomics, oncology and electronic patient record systems.
Helping organisations procure with confidence
The second publication focuses on the procurement of digital pathology solutions, recognising that successful transformation depends on much more than technical functionality alone.
The guidance encourages healthcare organisations to adopt a clinically led approach to procurement and outlines six core pillars that should underpin decision-making:
- Scalability, storage and performance
- Workflow integration and interoperability
- Business continuity and resilience
- Workforce usability, ergonomics and human factors
- Infrastructure and physical environment
- Data lifecycle, portability and exit strategy
It emphasises the importance of considering validation, governance, workflow design, quality assurance, workforce engagement and lifecycle support from the earliest stages of planning, helping organisations make investment decisions that remain fit for purpose both now and in the future.
A coordinated approach to future pathology services
Across both documents, AXREM highlights that successful digital pathology transformation depends upon interoperability, strong governance, regulatory alignment and clinically informed decision-making.
The Digital Pathology CN continues to advocate for:
- Greater adoption of open standards and vendor-neutral architectures
- Enhanced interoperability across diagnostic disciplines
- Safe and effective deployment of AI-enabled technologies
- Strong clinical governance and validation processes
- Sustainable procurement practices that support long-term service transformation
- Improved support for networked and collaborative pathology services across the NHS
These priorities are intended to support more connected diagnostic services, reduce barriers to innovation and help healthcare organisations realise the full benefits of digital pathology.
AXREM CEO, Sally Edgington, said:
“Digital pathology has the potential to transform diagnostic services, improve collaboration across healthcare networks and support faster access to expert opinion for patients. To realise these benefits, organisations need both interoperable systems and procurement strategies that place clinical outcomes, patient safety and long-term sustainability at their core.
These publications provide practical guidance on the standards, governance and procurement considerations needed to support safe, efficient and scalable digital pathology services. Developed through the collective expertise of AXREM members, they are intended to help healthcare organisations make informed decisions, reduce implementation risk and maximise the value of their digital investments.
As healthcare becomes increasingly connected, interoperability is no longer a desirable feature, it is a fundamental requirement. By taking a strategic and clinically informed approach to both system integration and procurement, healthcare organisations can build digital pathology services that support innovation, collaboration and improved patient outcomes for years to come”.
About AXREM Digital Pathology Collaborative Network
The AXREM Digital Pathology Collaborative Network brings together leading suppliers and experts from across the digital pathology sector to support the safe, effective and sustainable adoption of digital pathology technologies across UK healthcare. Through collaboration with industry, healthcare stakeholders and policymakers, the group works to promote best practice, interoperability, innovation and improved patient outcomes, while helping address the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of pathology services.
For more information about the AXREM Digital Pathology Collaborative Network and its activities, please visit https://www.axrem.org.uk/digital-pathology-special-focus-group/