Dorset LEP allocates £2.28m to improve local NHS services

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is investing £2.28m of the Government’s Local Growth Deal funding into the creation of a new Histopathology Diagnostic Hub at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Histopathology is the diagnosis and study of bodily tissues.

The investment is one of the actions being taken by Dorset LEP to support COVID-19 recovery in the region by accelerating healthcare resilience and is expected to secure over 120 jobs in the healthcare sector.

The £2.28m of funding will go towards a 500m² histopathology laboratory and support space at the RBCH, which is also being supported by a further £20m match funding contribution from the NHS.

The Histopathology Diagnostic Hub is expected to be completed and operational by in Autumn 2022.  

It is hoped that through this new ward, artificial intelligence can be used in order to improve the speed and reliability of diagnoses.

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP said:

“Over these past few months our NHS staff have contributed to an unprecedented national effort to tackle coronavirus and so I am delighted to confirm over £2.2 million through the Local Growth Fund for the development of this new Histopathology Diagnostic Hub.

“The development of this new diagnostic hub will make patient diagnosis in Bournemouth quicker and more reliable and secure 120 high-quality jobs, making a real difference to peoples’ health and the economic growth of the region.”

Councillor Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council and Dorset LEP Board Member, said:

 “The benefit this project will bring for the whole population of Dorset is immense. This hub will improve the efficiency and sustainability of service on behalf of all its users, including GPs, Community Trust, as well as hospitals, serving the entire Dorset population and beyond.”

The 38 LEPs across England have helped to build 93,000 homes and created over 180,000 jobs since their creation in 2011.

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