Hopefully, you will be able to have a well-earned break with friends and family without too much disruption over the summer. Many of you are also no doubt trying to re-adjust your work–life balance – getting to grips with greater work-related travel while accommodating already expanded virtual schedules.
We are mid-way through the College’s Diamond Jubilee year and we have been delighted with the engagement from across the breadth of pathology with contributions to the Bulletin and other College activities. While the Open Day had to be deferred to 8 September following rail strikes, the virtually delivered Foundation lecture by Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam was a tour de force. National Pathology Week (NPW) 2022 was successfully moved from November to coincide with the week of our 60th anniversary in June.
In this issue we have specialty updates from cellular pathology (p 610), cytopathology (p 614) and histocompatibility and immunogenetics (p 619), as well as an update on organ transplantation and the many teams that support this essential patient need (p 622). We also have a timely reminder of the importance of investment into research and development across various strands of clinical and donor transfusion and transplantation research (p 626).
The whole of pathology is underpinned by its exceptional workforce and the College’s Workforce team showcases its efforts in supporting members and influencing government policy (p 629). We have also profiled our Director of Professionalism (p 638) who oversees the important work of the Clinical Effectiveness, Professional Standards and Workforce teams and supports the College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network.
The mythbusting article around SAS doctors is revealing and this group certainly needs support. Many of these professional journeys are interesting and sometimes tortuous and we are pleased to highlight successes and achievements (p 635).
We remain committed to supporting the training and career development of clinical scientists across many specialties. Berne Ferry and Lisa Ayers from the National School of Healthcare Science have built further on previous articles with a current update on the successes of the consultant clinical scientist training programme (p 654). The accompanying reflections from haematologists and microbiologists from a medical and a scientist background certainly make interesting reading.
The Biomedical Scientist Empowerment, Education and Discussion Group was set up during lockdown but continues to grow and provide much-needed virtual learning opportunities to laboratory staff and other healthcare professionals (p 640).
Collaboration between departments is often essential in driving improvements in patient care, as is showcased by the award-winning project from the interventional radiology and haematology departments at Manchester Royal Infirmary. They were the recipients of a Health Service Journal Patient Safety Award and they give an account of their project and recommendations for future studies in the field of peri-operative and surgical care (p 642).
We have a useful article about the rollout of the now statutory requirement for all deaths to be scrutinised by the Medical Examiners Service in England and Wales by using already established, cost-neutral NHS referral pathways (p 657). Further practical articles assess the effect of the pandemic on antifungal stewardship in a UK tertiary teaching hospital with a review of prescribing practices and therapeutic drug monitoring (p 660). An expert panel provides helpful insight into good design practice principles to deploying and sustaining digital pathology and the effective integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows (p 675).
The College's commitment to supporting international members and projects is clear with an updated account on the College’s role in the African Research and Innovation Initiative for Sickle Cell Education (ARISE), which brings together researchers and clinicians (p 648). We have also profiled the many career highlights of Professor Mona El-Bahrawy, Consultant Histopathologist at Imperial College London and President of the Egyptian Committee for Pathology Training (p 646).
Now back to summer and trying to enjoy the outdoors. We have arranged tours of the Royal College of Physicians’ Medicinal Garden for College members (also open to friends and family of members if spaces are available) with a great location opposite Regent’s Park. I am delighted to be getting pathology colleagues working with the Royal Horticultural Society in widening the public reach to our specialties. Do contact me if you are interested in getting involved!
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