The College could not function without the dedication of hundreds of members who take up volunteer roles. As well as highlighting their incredible work, we hope to inspire more members to get involved with the College. 

To kick off Volunteers’ Week 2024, we are delving into the College’s work in setting standards for patient safety and care. To find out more about what it’s like to volunteer in this area, we spoke to Dr Dawn Yell, Chair of the NQAAP in reproductive science. There are many volunteering opportunities in this area, from writing and reviewing guidelines, to various panels and committees that oversee quality assurance for a range of pathology specialties.  

The College runs 7 National Quality Assurance Advisory Panels (NQAAPs) that cover cellular pathology, chemical pathology, immunology, genetics, reproductive science, medical microbiology and haematology. Most of these panels are filled with volunteers from their specialties who are committed to ensuring patient safety through external quality assurance (EQA). The volunteers on these panels work with stakeholders and the College to ensure any persistent poor performers in EQA are solved and there are no patient safety implications.  

The College also runs the Quality Assurance in Pathology Committee (QAPC). The NQAAPs report into the QAPC for any performance issues that need escalating.  

Lastly, the College works with the EQA Stakeholders Forum (EQASF) and the EQA Oversight Board (EQAOB). They have complete oversight of the EQA process and comprise of volunteers, EQA providers, external bodies and the College. 

To find out more about what it’s like to volunteer in this area, we spoke to Dr Dawn Yell, Chair of the NQAAP in reproductive science. She told us more about what the role entails, what she enjoys about it and her advice for other members interested in volunteering.  

Can you tell us a bit about your background? What drew you to pathology as a profession?

I originally had a genetics background. While undertaking an MSc in Human Genetics, I completed an embryology module. It was then I realised that clinical embryology was a career option. The thought of using science, in a clinical role, to help people start a family inspired me. After securing a Trainee Embryologist post at the Hewitt Centre, Liverpool, I obtained the Association of Clinical Embryology certificate and went on to become an HCPC-registered Clinical Embryologist. After almost 20 years in the field, and working in fertility clinics both in the UK and internationally, I am still very passionate about the job and incredibly proud to be a healthcare scientist. 

How did you come to volunteer with the College? What is your current role and what does it entail? 

Compared with other pathology specialties, the field of reproductive science is a small one. I’d worked with Bryan Woodward, the previous Chair of the NQAAP for reproductive science, in different capacities over the years. Bryan began telling me about his role with the College and that he would be stepping away from it after a long period of service. Admittedly, I wasn't really aware of the QAPC and NQAAP and what an important role they play in maintaining the standards within our specialty. After listening to Bryan, I was incentivised to apply for the post of Chair and was very happy to be offered the role. While I am still finding my feet as Chair, I now have a great insight into the work that the College and the NQAAP teams do – for all pathology specialties, not just reproductive science.  

Ensuring that laboratories participate in EQA schemes, and monitoring their performance, is integral to both patient safety and patient experience. This is something I am very passionate about. Patients should be reassured that, whichever pathology laboratory they are referred to, they will receive the highest standard of testing possible and be given accurate results.  

As Chair of NQAAP for reproductive science, I regularly meet with the EQA scheme organisers to review national performance for diagnostic semen analyses. We determine if any laboratories are persistently performing poorly against the national standards. The NQAAP not only hold the laboratories to account, but offer support and training to assist them in getting back within national standards.

What are the benefits of this work, both for you and for members of the College?  

I have only been Chair for a very short time but, having now attended several QAPC meetings, I can see the many benefits of cross-organisational collaboration and procedures. The sharing of ideas, problem-solving against common challenges and career development are just a few. 
 
The QAPC and associated NQAAP groups provide reassurance to College members that standards of quality and safety are being upheld, in all pathology specialties, and across the UK.  

What advice do you have for other members who are interested in volunteering with the College? 

To anyone interested, I would say to go for it! It not only broadens your knowledge of the expansive world of pathology, but you may also gain a valuable support group. Volunteering for QAPC and NQAAP positions allows us to play an integral part of shaping our growing services. 

What are your hopes for the pathology profession over the next 5 years, and how can the College support in this? 

My hopes are that the College can help to promote the exceptional work being done by healthcare scientists across the UK. Many laboratories are working at the forefront of science, developing new technologies and assays, while maintaining quality and patient safety. I would like to see the efforts of our highly specialised scientists being promoted more widely, so the public are aware of and are reassured by our achievements. 

Get involved at the College: volunteer roles

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The College works with around 40 members across the various quality assurance committees and panels, all of whom are incredibly dedicated to ensuring the best patient care possible across pathology.

We're currently recruiting Chairs for the Immunology and Medical Microbiology NQAAPs. To find out more, please take a look at our listed volunteer vacancies, or contact the EQA team.  

If you are interested in telling your story as a College member, or have another idea for a blog, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at [email protected].