Issues
arising from the Royal College of Pathologists Council meeting
held on the 19th June 2008
Personal Notes from the
meeting of RCPath Council held on Thursday 19 th June 2008 in
The Old Library, the Royal London Hospital .
(these notes may not accurately
reflect the official minutes)
Queen's birthday honours
list – available on request.
College elections – Danielle
Freedman, Archie Prentice and Tim Wreghitt have been elected as
vice-presidents from Nov 2008. Twenty three nominations have been
received to fill eight vacancies on College Council from Nov 2008.
Voting papers will be circulated shortly.
Chelsea Flower Show – Gold
medal in the Continuous Learning category.
Carter report – still on
Secretary of State's desk. PRCPath due to have another meeting
with Lord Carter in near future.
Darzi Review – all SHA
“vision” documents now published (on DoH website). Darzi's report
due within next few days. PRCPath had met with Lord Darzi earlier
that morning and had sought reassurance that pathology would not
be fragmented. Other specialties e.g. radiology and anaesthetics
also have concerns. The chair of the East of England Regional
Council recently had an opportunity to raise the issue with the
CMO. He has promised to get back to her.
National Pathology Week
– on course with >80 events registered to date. Dedicated website
will go live in 2-3 weeks time. Promotional material will be available
shortly.
Outreach Project – favoured
options include an interactive website, travelling exhibition
and school workshops. The idea of a permanent museum at 2 CHT
has been rejected.
CPA – PRCPath had written
on behalf of the College, ACP, ACB & IBMS to Duncan Nichol
opposing payment to shareholders.
A problem with Standard
B1 (management) in the new pathology structure in N. Ireland was
reported.
College Tutors – long debate
about their future. Should they be renamed, replaced, abolished
etc? Consensus was that they had an important role to play at
local level which may need to expand when revalidation is introduced.
TsOR, appointments process, term of office etc need to be reviewed.
CEA – PRCPath had recently
produced a guide to this year's process (I have forwarded a copy
to Graham Smith who has kindly agreed to chair our regional committee
again this year).
Recruitment – a debate
had taken place on whether all pathology specialty trainees should
in future be recruited nationally rather than locally. Clarification
on governance issues is awaited before any decision is made.
College business plan &
budget – full subscription will go up to £396 next year
(£386 if paid by DD). In future any additional costs incurred
by revalidation will be made explicit. The new education centre
is predicted to start making income for the College next year.
Lay Committee – has agreed
to reconsider its objection to the “Labs are vital” website. It
is also very supportive of the idea of a mobile pathology exhibition
(see outreach project).
Workforce – Electronic
database - validated entries still only in single figures.
Pathology Profiling Project
has reported (available on internet).
College Exec. – ways of
improving communication between the various College committees
and the regional councils are to be explored.
The College website is
to be revamped.
The abolition of the College
Diplomate status has upset some people.
Publications & media
– a health events calendar is to be produced
Retention & Storage
Working Group – more volunteers required.
International Committee
– College Exec has agreed to fund expansion of overseas activities
(see May 2008 meeting minute (81/08d).
E-learning – a Pathopedia
is to be developed (editorial board recruited).
A virtual “pathology pot”
library has been proposed
The Histopathology SAC
reported that a joint Justice Bill will be produced to cover both
coroner reform and death certification reform.
Andrew Stacey
22/06/2008
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