This annual report reflects some, but by no means all, of the amazing work that has gone on during the year. It highlights the vast range of achievements and brings you summaries of the areas of activity and some of the COVID-19 related work that has gone on.

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Professor Jo Martin

The 2019−2020 annual report is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the College and our members over the past year. This year has provided a great number of challenges, but we have continued to deliver on our commitments and fostered new ways of working.

In this annual report you can read about how we have supported our members during the COVID-19 pandemic and we highlight the extraordinary efforts and achievements of the pathology community in our clinical case studies.

Download our Annual Report 2019-2020

Real stories

The stories included in our annual report give a unique view of the role of pathology in treating and diagnosing disease, featuring interviews with the patients themselves and the team involved in their care.

  • A report from the front line

    Dr Kathryn Ryan, a consultant clinical biochemist, explains how clinical biochemistry is vital in monitoring patients with COVID-19, and reflects on her time working in critical care during the pandemic.

  • Virology: a bridge between the laboratory and patient care

    Dr Louise Berry is a consultant in infectious diseases and virology. Here she explains her fascination with virology and the vital role it has in diagnostics.

  • Innovating to detect infection

    Detecting COVID-19 in people who are asymptomatic or have mild disease is vital to slowing down transmission. Dr Alex Richter explains how her team at the University of Birmingham developed an assay capable of detecting low levels of antibodies.

  • Bringing testing to those who are most vulnerable

    The impact of COVID-19 on care homes has been huge and with few tests available at the start of the pandemic, there was an urgent need for rapid testing in this setting. Here, Professor Jo Martin describes a clinical trial that compares methods of routine testing with rapid testing in care homes.

  • Treating people with convalescent plasma for COVID-19

    Clinical trials are ongoing to establish whether convalescent plasma is an effective therapy for COVID-19. Professor David Roberts and Dr Lise Estcourt provide an insight into these trials and Ahmed Bhayat gives his personal account of receiving a plasma transfusion.

  • COVID-19: a first-hand account

    Dr Ian Frayling, who recently retired from his role as a consultant in genetic pathology, describes his experience of COVID-19, and the lasting effects of his illness.

  • Learning from death to help the living

    Post mortems will improve our understanding of COVID-19 and help inform the treatment and management of the disease. Here, Dr Michael Osborn and Dr Brian Hanley explain their value.

  • The Crick Institute and Health Service Laboratories working together

    Repurposing a research lab into an operational testing facility would normally take months, but a collaboration between the Crick Institute and HSL delivered this in weeks, showing what can be achieved through cooperation and teamwork.