Issues
arising from the Royal College of Pathologists Council meeting
held on the 17th January 2008
Personal notes from
the RCPath Council meeting held on 17th Jan 2008 in the Old Library
of the Royal London Hospital Medical School .
(NB. the accuracy of these
notes is the sole responsibility of the author and may not reflect
the official meeting minutes)
PRCPath had written to
the CPA Chairman regarding accreditation issues including a response
to the suggestion that POCTs could be subject to a less stringent
level of accreditation. He was due to meet Ian Barnes (Path Modernisation
lead) later today.
The Frontline report on
pathology reorganisation in the East of England had been seen
by the PRCPath. A review of pathology services had also taken
place in NI.
Chair of Histopathology
SAC had attended a DoH meeting on training for Medical Examiners.
Carter – pilot sites had
another meeting last week (PRCPath unable to attend). Report expected
in Feb (?will reflect change of emphasis from cost-saving to quality).
See interview with Lord Carter in Jan 2008 RCPath Bulletin.
Darzi Review – 8 regionally-bases
working group have been set up (only one pathologist included).
The advice is to get involved in the process locally if possible
and keep an eye on the websites (Darzi & College).
MMC – Shelley Heard at
House of Commons select committee meeting today.
CEA awards – process completed.
Thanks conveyed to Region CEA committees. The process may begin
even earlier next year.
Tooke Report – College
response on website. Support for proposed body (NHS: Medical Education
England).
RCPath paying £25K
towards Academy of RMCs business plan.
PSU: (i) Lance Sandle (new
Director of PSU) gave a presentation on revalidation
(ii) GMC to review GMP
document (?made more relevant to pathologists).
Workforce: (i) electronic
database- so far only 2% have checked entries. It is important
that this happens before the next phase (data on jobs, vacancies,
trends).
(ii) predicted oversupply
of histopathology trainees due to failure of consultant expansion.
DoH has refused request to temporarily reduce training posts from
60 to 40. At the same time Cancer Reform Strategy anticipates
a 48% expansion in histopathology consultant posts (2006-2012).
Training: PMETB has approved
College assessment scheme. Workplace-based assessment is up &
running. Infection training working group has pu forward proposals
to change training for “infection specialties” (out for comment).
College Executive: (i)
the RCGP had convened a community pathology services think tank.
There had been no pathology input.
(ii) the ACB is leading
a project to produce advice to GPs on POCTs (RCGP invited)
(iii) DoH is funding a
project by the Universities of Keele & Leeds to develop a
new clinical benchmarking system.
A number of Hon. Officers
of the College are due to demit office this year including the
president and three vice-presidents. An election timetable has
been produced and nomination forms & job descriptions will
appear on the College website. Nominations must be supported by
a member of Council.
Toxicology SAC: approval
given for a new examination in analytical toxicology.
Histopathology SAC: (i)
concerns expressed over a CPA-unaccredited molecular genetics
reference lab.
(ii) proposal for assessing
errors in surgical pathology from Prof Nicholas Wright.
(ii) proposed pilot study
to communicate histopathology reports to patients (concerns expressed
that clinicians were not sufficiently involved).
Education Centre appeal:
there is still a £1.2M shortfall. Negotiations with potential
donors ongoing. If you have influence with an organisation or
know of somebody with lots of money who would like to make a donation………
National Pathology Week
(Nov 2008). It is hoped that every acute trust will put on something
(a minimum of 5 events per NHS region?). Regional Councils &
SACs expected to have major inputs. See article in Jan 2008 Bulletin
and keep an eye on College website.
Examiners training days:
approx 80% of examiners have attended
AOB
Evaluating/introducing
new tests: report due in March
Visual identity project:
“to appeal to a more diverse and young audience” see College website.
Date of next meeting 13
th March 2008 .
Dr Andrew Stacey
Chair, RCPath SE England
Regional Council
(18.01.2008)
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