COVER STORY / ADVERTISING FEATURE
Automated mass spectrometry arrives at SWLP
With the UK’s first cobas Mass Spec solution, Roche Diagnostics is promising a step change in advanced diagnostics.
PP May 2026
Volume 27 Issue 3
www.pathologyinpractice.com pp cover
May26.indd 1
Influenza vaccines: the intricacies of tracking a moving target
Distributions, outliers and confidence intervals in laboratory data
mass spectrometry arrives at South West London Pathology
Automated 28/04/2026 09:46
In a landmark moment for UK diagnostics, the first cobas Mass Spec solution – a fully automated mass spectrometry workflow - has been installed at St George’s Hospital, London, part of the South West London Pathology (SWLP) network. Unveiled at an official opening, the
installation marks more than just a technological upgrade. It signals a step change in how advanced diagnostics can be delivered across the NHS, bringing mass spectrometry out of specialist setings and into the heart of routine clinical testing. At a time when demand on pathology
services continues to rise, innovations that can deliver faster, more reliable and scalable testing are not just welcome, they are essential. “We are delighted to be the first
laboratory in the country to introduce the new cobas Mass Spec solution,” commented Simon Brewer, Managing Director at SWLP. “Not only will we be able to expand the repertoire of tests that can be processed through mass spectrometry, but we can also free up staff time to be able to focus on tasks that need their expertise and experience. This is central to our ambition of using technology and innovation to its maximum to develop our services and harness the many and far- reaching benefits it can bring, ultimately improving patient care.”
Why mass spectrometry matters Mass spectrometry has long been regarded as the gold standard for analytical performance in laboratory medicine. Its exceptional sensitivity and specificity make it indispensable across a range of clinical applications, from toxicology and endocrinology to therapeutic drug monitoring and newborn screening. Historically, however, its use has been largely confined to specialist testing, requiring a high level of expertise and experience from laboratory scientists to deliver. With clinical pathways becoming more
complex and requirements for precision increasing, the value of highly accurate, sensitive testing is becoming clearer. In many cases, mass spectrometry offers the ability to deliver definitive results first time – reducing the need for repeat testing and enabling faster clinical decisions. As demand on NHS services continues to grow, so too does the need for diagnostic tools that can deliver both precision and efficiency at scale.
A phased implementation of the cobas Mass Spec solution at SWLP, ensured that training, validation and service integration were delivered in a controlled and sustainable way.
6
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM May 2026
The challenge Despite its clear clinical advantages, mass spectrometry has traditionally been difficult to introduce into routine NHS laboratory setings. In part, this is because the workflows are complex and resource- intensive. Steps like sample preparation,
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
