Introduction
The College recognises that, as a discipline, laboratory specialists and pathologists are at the forefront of the use of information technology (IT) to support their practice and deliver patient care. In many of the specialties, the laboratory systems have been automated for years, and histopathologists and microbiologists have usually generated their text reports electronically. As a result, there is a wealth of objective data and electronic information produced by pathologists that underpins diagnosis and treatment of patients.

IT impinges on many areas of pathology practice, not just in laboratory automation. It is key to the data transfer of results between primary and secondary care, it supports disease coding and classification with coding vocabularies for example SNOMED CT, and pathology data is a core component in the multidisciplinary care of cancer patients. The efficient use of computer systems is essential in the future programme of pathology modernisation as pathology services are redesigned in an ever-evolving health care system.

Over recent years, with the introduction across the NHS of the National Programme for Information Technology and Connecting for Health, the importance of coordinated activity in the College has increased. In recognition of this, the College has an official post of Informatics Advisor. The role provides a conduit between the College Council and the membership, with the aims of keeping abreast of new advances and sharing best practice and expert opinion from amongst the many well informed Fellows and Members of the College. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Informatics Advisor, Dr Ian Bailey, care of the College (info@rcpath.org).