High-quality laboratory practice is essential to patient safety, and the UK has a strong record in quality assurance. However, the current framework supporting national oversight in pathology requires stronger governance, coordination and sustainable funding.
For many years, the Royal College of Pathologists has hosted the Quality Assurance in Pathology Committee (QAPC) and National Quality Assurance Advisory Panels (NQAAPs), which have provided expert review of external quality assurance (EQA) issues and supported national consistency in laboratory standards.
Despite the dedication of volunteer experts and the College’s interim financial support, the current model is no longer sustainable. In the absence of an agreed national funding mechanism or formal links with regulatory bodies, the College has taken the difficult decision to pause QAPC and NQAAP activities from January 2026.
The College, alongside the Institute of Biomedical Science and the Association for Laboratory Medicine, remains committed to securing a robust and enduring system of quality assurance for pathology.
Download our full position statement here.
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