Issues
arising from the Royal College of Pathologists Council meeting
held on the 12th January 2006
Carter
Review of Pathology services
The
President (Adrian Newland) is writing to Lord Carter in response
to the Pathology Review announcement. In this he had emphasized
the importance of quality in which ever form the service was to
be delivered, and that it was not simply a ‘samples-in service-out'
requirement. Interpretation of results and direct clinical care
were also an important part of the present provision. The response
was structured under three main headings: Access, Choice and Convenience.
AN called for the SACs to provide further specialist information,
and suggested that they should submit brief documents to Lord
Carter in addition to the College response. Lord Carter is due
to visit Bart's and the London, and Luton and Dunstable Hospitals
next week.
Standardisation
of methods and reference ranges appeared to be a particular issue
likely to be raised during the review. The difficulties were not
fully appreciated, but it was due to be taken forward by Sir Muir
Gray. The fact that these difficulties would be confounded by
the proposed plurality of service provision was raised by Council.
The
importance of Specialist Laboratory Services was raised by GF
and the need to demonstrate the importance of this service in
terms of the developing new tests for the benefit of patients.
The
health protection function of medical microbiologists required
emphasis.
It
was felt that support for pathology should be galvanised from
other disciplines e.g. Cancer services, and that perhaps Mike
Richards and the National Cancer Directors should be asked to
provide some input.
It
would be important to note that the lack of movement with regards
to Pathology Modernisation was not because Pathologists did not
wish to modernise, and indeed there were good examples of ‘modernisation'
including developments in training.
Good
Medical Practice
The
GMC was extending its consultation. The RCP had published a report
on ‘Doctors in Society'. This had been launched in December 2005
at the RCP. The Registrar had attended the launch. Communication
with patients was stressed as an important component of medical
professionalism. It was proposed that professionalism should be
a component of the undergraduate curriculum.
Academy
of Medical Colleges
It
had been proposed that the training of Cancer Specialists would
be better co-ordinated.
Sir
Nettar Mallick (ACCEA) had requested that there should be greater
clarity and harmonisation in how recommendations from the Royal
Colleges were obtained.
There
had been concern raised that PMETB had suggested that the CCT
did not really mean completion of training in some specialties.
Professional
Standards Unit and ‘Good standing'
Good
standing was an imprecise term incorporating payment of annual
fee and CPD. Peter Cowling raised the issue of whether CPD should
be part of the requirement. This was often difficult for overseas
members, and was difficult to administer. Promotion to fellow
currently requires member to be in good standing. Council queried
the consequence of members being suspended from the CPD scheme.
Fellowship implied competence and good standing. It was suggested
that membership could be awarded for the 1 st part and fellowship
for the final part of the College examination.
Workforce
The
workforce database had stalled due to lack of funding. This would
rely on recommendations from the Chief Scientific Officer, Sally
Hill. Another workforce database for all medical staff was being
developed and there appeared to be a conflict.
A
draft document had been produced by Graham Beastall on ‘Bridging
the Training Gap' outlining the problems and possible solutions
in training Clinical Scientists. Some minor amendments would be
made before being published.
Training
and Education
Run
through training in 4 disciplines was progressing. It was intended
that cross disciplinary co-operation would facilitate training
by providing core training.
PMETB
had received applications for Specialist Registration under Article
14. These were yet to be passed to the College for consideration
by the Credential panels.
New
training posts would in future need to be approved by PMETB.
The
GMC would be removing limited registration for international medical
graduates who were not in established training posts.
Regional
Councils
CPA
would have full time inspectors from April 2006.
Trent
Council was concerned that some Foundation Trusts would not allow
leave for external professional responsibilities such as contribution
to advisory appointment panels etc.
The
issue of CPA's new draft recommendations for Immunology labs was
raised by GF on behalf of SEERC. Concern was expressed that some
non-Immunology laboratories had had difficulties in obtaining
full accreditation because of their limited immunology provision.
GF was asked to keep Council apprized of future developments.
Executive
Committee
3
vacancies would arise on SE England Regional Council in 2006.
The timetable for the elections was tabled.
The
International Committee was advertising for 6 International Advisors
to represent the College.
Phil
Quirk had been appointed Director of Research and tabled an outline
strategy for College.
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