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Aims of the Association of Clinical Pathologists

The Association of Clinical Pathologists was established in 1927, originally as the British Pathologists Association, and changed to its current name in 1930. In W.D. Forster`s `A Short History of Clinical Pathology` (Livingstone, 1961) S.C Dyke indicated the Association was established for four main reasons:

To improve the conditions of pathology practice and improve the status of clinical pathologists. To secure clinical pathologists as being equal to other consultants To encourage and assist medical schools and post-graduate education so that suitably trained doctors could assume charge of   hospital laboratories throughout the United Kingdom. To establish where members could exchange views on work, research etc.

Today`s aims must be very similar. Despite increasing specialization in pathology with the resultant proliferation of societies, which provide a forum for discussion, there is still a need for a multi-disciplinary organization such as the Association. In the current political climate of rationalisation, harmonisation and market testing, the challenges that face all disciplines of pathology are similar. The proposed multi-skilling of our BMS colleagues and the introduction of modern molecular biology techniques are two forces that are bringing the disciplines back together. The association, with its strong grass-roots support through branches and committees, is in a commanding position to allow it to make its own assessment of situations freely, cogently and convincingly and to convey these to the Department of Health, the Royal College of Pathologists and other important groupings.

What is Pathology?

A lay person ’s Introduction

Description: Pathology is a core medical specialty involved in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. It is subdivided into a number of specialty areas including : Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Microbiology, Haematology & Blood Transfusion, Histopathology, Cytology, Immunology and Forensic Pathology.

Pathologists must have a suitable medical qualification and membership of the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath). Training posts are approved and examinations set by the RCPath and it takes about 5 years before trainees are eligible to take the membership examinations. Consultants in some of the specialties, particularly Haematology and Immunology, directly manage their own patients and may have hospital beds as well as hold clinics. Consultant Pathologists have an important role in the diagnosis and treatment
of diseases in every specialty of medicine and most patients, at one time or another, have specimens taken for pathological testing.

Clinical scientists must have suitable scientific qualifications and MRCPath to achieve consultant equivalent status. The clinical scientist role is generally related to quality assurance or provision of specialist techniques, with clinical liaison increasing at higher grades.

Much of the laboratory based work of pathology specialties is performed by Biomedical Scientists (BMS). Entry to BMS posts is graduate only and at higher levels contains a substantial element of laboratory management activity. Biomedical Scientists must be registered with the Health Professions Council. The day to day work is facilitated by Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA) who are trained to perform specific tasks, described by a defined protocol, under supervision. (MLA)

Pathology departments in the NHS are required to be accredited by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) and partake in continuous quality management systems and external quality assurance schemes.

Key sources and web links:

1. Royal College of Pathologists website www.rcpath.org.

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