The Royal College
Founded in 1962 and gaining its Royal Charter in 1969, the Royal College of Pathologists is a young college compared to some of its eminent cousins. Yet it has already evolved in response to the tremendous changes of the past 38 years: changes which have been brought about partly by the vigour of pathology research and partly by changing public expectations of health care. The Royal College of Pathologists is committed to promoting both the science and the practice of pathology, and to ensuring that the highest standards are maintained in all areas.

Supporting progress
The development of the College has been moulded by this progress. Consider professional examinations in pathology: from a time when there was no postgraduate qualification in pathology, the College today holds examinations for membership in 14 disciplines, each with its own body of knowledge, specialist techniques and vital contribution to modern medicine. The list is a testament to the breadth of modern pathology: chemical pathology, genetics, forensic pathology, haematology, histopathology, immunology, medical microbiology, neuropathology, oral pathology, toxicology, veterinary pathology, virology, dermatopathology and histocompatibility. The College oversees training programmes in all these areas and is tasked not only with ensuring that practitioners reach the standard required for membership, but also that they maintain their expertise in the face of continuing rapid progress in the years to come.

The importance of standards
Training, examinations, continuing professional development, audit, seminars, conferences, research promotion, advice, publications - the remit of the College is wide. Its officers and committee members (who receive no remuneration for this work) are all busy professionals whose motivation is a desire to maintain and develop the exceptionally high quality and standards of British pathology.

For mor information see The College Pages