The HER2 tissue Roche scanner, which has been funded by Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC), will be used by the Histopathology Department at Harrogate District Hospital to help assess breast cancer tissue samples more quickly and efficiently.

Philippa Bleasdale, histology section manager, said: ‘This project has been a labour of love and will make a real difference for patients by delivering results more quickly and supporting faster treatment decisions.

‘Whilst this technology will initially be used to improve the pathway for breast cancer patients, in the future it is hoped it can be used to assist with the interpretation of other biomarkers for different cancers, such as lung cancer.'

HDFT is continuing to increase its use of innovative technologies, such as AI software, to improve patient care and services. AI is already being used to support clinicians across a number of specialties, including helping to speed up fracture diagnosis and improve the efficiency and accuracy of chest x-rays, particularly for conditions such as lung cancer.