THE Tweed Hospital has expanded its services further with the opening of the Health Pathology North centre on Thursday.

The opening marks an expansion of pathology services, including expansion of a lab, at the hospital for diagnostic testing and monitoring of disease.

Pathology North director Dr Ann Warrell said the upgrade helped to improve pathology services to Tweed patients.

"Our experience and our understanding of community needs, combined with our local commitment, are essential parts of our service for both inpatients and outpatients," Dr Warrell said.

Dr Warrell said it was a "heroic effort" from everyone involved, including builders and IT specialists, to get the project completed.

"This is a great thing for the Tweed," she said.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest was at the opening on behalf of Health and Medical Research Minister Jillian Skinner.

"The Tweed Hospital Pathology North project includes a new histology laboratory for studying tissue samples as well as a work area for the newly appointed pathologists," Mr Provest said.

"A new microscope has also been purchased to be utilised by a haematologist in the haematology work area within the pathology laboratory."

The pathology unit expects to recruit more staff in August this year.