NEWS
Women’s health driving growth at Una Health
Specialist healthcare diagnostics company Una Health is set to achieve a record 20% growth target this year, which will see the company reach a turnover of £9 million. The female- led company has a focus on women’s health, and recently set up a consumer division, Femme Health, which is focused on supporting women’s health and wellness. Growth has come, in the main, from
developing existing client relationships but is being accelerated following a number of recent contract wins including tests for pre-eclampsia, UTIs and sexual health tests. This follows successive 15% year- on-year growth over the last four years for the privately-owned company which provides diagnostics for the laboratory and point of care. Speaking about
the company’s growth, founder
and managing director, Fiona Jacobs (pictured) said: “We are commited to supporting the healthcare sector to find beter ways to use existing technology to achieve beter outcomes. But we are constantly horizon-scanning to seek out the innovative technologies that can bring a new level of sophistication to the diagnostic process. Profits are consistently reinvested into the business, enabling us to strengthen our team, expand our capabilities and respond quickly to the evolving needs of healthcare providers. “As an independent company, we are agile and able to make bold, informed decisions at pace whilst investing in the technologies we believe will make a genuine difference. We are proud of our long-term partnerships that support earlier diagnosis, beter treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.” Founded in 2009, Una Health
provides diagnostics for the laboratory and point of care from its base in Stoke-on-Trent. The team is an advocate for women’s health, believing that women’s needs have been overshadowed. As such, this remains a key area of focus for the business.
Pathology Transformation Review 2026
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) has welcomed the publication of Pathology Transformation Review 2026 and its recognition that pathology is central to the future of the NHS. This evidence-based report, authored by Lord Carter, highlights the need to recognise pathology as a core clinical service requiring sustained investment, proactive workforce planning and beter use of its professional expertise. The full report is available to read at
htp://
pathologytransformation.org/. The IBMS and its Council announced
the commissioning of the review at Congress 2025. With pathology services under pressure and demand rising; the IBMS recognised that the system needed a clearer, evidence-based conversation about what is required to deliver safe, timely and sustainable diagnostics. The report has a strong focus on
workforce, with its findings reflecting what IBMS members see every day: vacancies, rising demand, constrained training capacity and increasing pressure on staff who are already working hard to maintain high-quality services for patients and clinicians. Transformation cannot be delivered without the workforce. It must be built with the workforce, and it must recognise the expertise, leadership and contribution of biomedical scientists at
every level of service. The report also rightly highlights the importance of continued modernisation, developed in lockstep with the experts who understand pathology services. Advanced and consultant-level biomedical scientist practice, clearer career pathways, beter training capacity, digital systems, automation, quality assurance and stronger end-to-end service models all have a role to play in building resilient, patient-centred pathology services. The report identifies a significant
opportunity to improve value across pathology services. Lord Carter frames this as a reinvestment opportunity, not a savings target. The benefits of integration and modernisation will only be realised if the gains are reinvested back into pathology to enable it to meet the increasing demands placed on it. Workforce, digital infrastructure, equipment, training, quality systems and implementation capacity all need sustained support if transformation is to succeed.
Viral Research Institutes created
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has partnered with The Pirbright Institute and the University of Glasgow to create the Viral Research Institutes (VRI); a strategic partnership which will ensure a collaborative approach to UK epidemic preparedness, advanced virology research and the training of future scientists. VRI brings together three national
centres of excellence in human and animal virology to create a One-Health- driven flow between fundamental research and UK health security needs, to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global efforts to combat viral diseases. Together, the VRI combines, amongst other things, the University of Glasgow’s expertise in human viruses within the Medical Research Council - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), UKHSA’s capabilities in pathogen
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characterisation and pandemic preparedness, and Pirbright’s leadership in animal virus research to strengthen the UK’s ability to respond to current and emerging viral threats. Under the five-year agreement, the
three institutions will promote long-term joint research initiatives and explore research capabilities, such as harnessing the use of high containment laboratory facilities, as well as collaborative teaching and workshops which will support early- career researchers to gain hands-on experience in virology research, advance understanding of the high consequence emerging viruses and drive future innovations in virology and public health. The CVR is the UK’s centre of excellence
for human virology research, while the Pirbright Institute is a world-leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of virus diseases of livestock.
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