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To see College policies, Charter and other documentation in this section of the website, please see the menu on the left of the screen.
The College's mission statement is to promote excellence in the practice of pathology and to be responsible for maintaining standards through training, assessments, examinations and professional development, to the benefit of the public.
Pathologists study the causes of disease and the ways in which disease processes affect our bodies. Recognising the patterns that disease takes allows us to understand what's at the root of a problem, enabling accurate diagnosis. Following up this understanding helps treatments to be devised and preventative measures to be put in place.
Pathology is a relatively young science. The first pathologists dealt with all areas of the subject, but rapid advances quickly meant that pathologists too became specialists. For a description of the main pathology sub-specialties, see our Careers section.
The Royal College of Pathologists was established in 1962 to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology.
The achievements of modern pathology are impressive. Here are just a few:
- developing vaccines against major infectious diseases such as smallpox, diphtheria, polio, influenza and meningitis
- enabling safe blood transfusion
- managing the immune system for successful organ transplants;
- monitoring drug treatment
- establishing a tissue diagnosis and a prognosis in tumours and inflammatory diseases
- pinpointing the genetic causes of disease.
The fact that much pathology goes on behind the scenes may account for the fact that many people are almost unaware of its ongoing contributions to modern medicine. Without the detective work of pathologists there could be no firm answers, and improving or even maintaining the quality of medical care would be impossible.
Innovation
Because of its commitment to fostering research and the multidisciplinary approach to pathology, The Royal College of Pathologists is the only Medical Royal College to admit non-medical scientists, who now comprise a fifth of its Members and Fellows.
It is the only organisation in Europe to work towards the improvement of standards and practice in pathology through examinations and training programmes.
The College was one of the pioneers in the developments of continuing professional development (CPD) to enable its members to keep up to date with medical and scientific advances.
It was instrumental in setting up the organisation Clinical Pathology Accreditation UK (CPA) for the purpose of accrediting all pathology laboratories.
Current College activities
- Overseeing the education and training of specialists in all pathology disciplines.
- Setting standards of practice and organising assessment by examinations.
- Monitoring the appointments of consultants in pathology.
- Updating its members through scientific meetings and symposia.
- Ensuring and monitoring a programme of continuing professional development for its members.
- Publication of guidelines on aspects of best practice.
- Maintaining standards of practice by promoting clinical audit and quality assurance and supporting accreditation for all pathology laboratories.
- Funding research in association with industry and other partners in science.
- Advising government departments, national organisations, medical and academic bodies on all matters relating to pathology.
- Promoting public understanding of pathology.
- Delivery of workplace-based assessment
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