Every year, the College takes this opportunity to spotlight some of our incredible volunteer members who dedicate their time and expertise to a huge range of College activities. It is only with the support of these members that the College is able to deliver the key services that sustain and advance the profession.  

In today’s blog, we speak to Dr Shubha Allard, Deputy Chair of the Transfusion Medicine SAC at the College. Dr Allard was recommended for this year’s spotlight series by Louise Mair, the College’s Committee Services Officer, alongside Chair Dr Shruthi Narayan. Louise said: 

"Dr Shruthi Narayan, Chair of Transfusion Medicine SAC and Dr Shubha Allard, Deputy Chair of the Transfusion Medicine SAC, have both gone above and beyond when it comes to helping with marking exams due to examiner shortages. They also support me with the Percy Oliver Award and Percy Oliver Bursary Award every year."   

Are you interested in having your voice heard on one of the College’s committees? If so, you can find out about current vacancies in your specialty on our committees page, or contact the relevant committee chair to find out about other opportunities to get involved. 

Can you tell us a bit about your pathology background? 

I was initially appointed as Consultant Haematologist at the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, where I was responsible for the diagnosis and clinical care of adult and paediatric patients with malignant and non-malignant haematological disorders. I then moved to a joint post with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) also managing the clinical and laboratory transfusion service across Barts Health NHS Trust. I have now retired and returned to working part time at NHSBT. 

You're currently Deputy Chair of the Transfusion Medicine SAC at RCPath. Can you tell us more about how you got involved and what this role entails? 

I have been involved with the College for several years as examiner for the Haematology FRCPath for medical trainees. I have also supported the development of the Consultant Clinical Scientist role in Transfusion Science. The College’s Transfusion Medicine SAC has an essential role in overseeing education, training and oversight of actions that maintain profession standards within the specialty. I am pleased to support Dr Shruthi Narayan as the Chair of this Committee. 

I have previously worked as the College’s Clinical Director for Publishing and Engagement and I’m pleased to continue in a volunteer role within the Transfusion SAC and as a co-opted RCPath Trustee. I also volunteer as a College representative on the Board of Lab Tests Online UK, which provides essential information for patients on laboratory tests. 

How do these College services benefit members and the wider profession? 

Transfusion is essential to adult and paediatric patient care across many clinical disciplines within the NHS. The SAC therefore has a clear role in the oversight of critical functions – in collaboration with other professional organisations – towards the education and training of medical and scientific teams, workforce planning, haemovigilance and patient safety. We have representation from across the UK, with members closely involved in delivery and management of clinical and laboratory transfusion, education and research – together with guideline and policy development.  

As co-opted College Trustee, I contribute to the oversight of College activities across professional standards, examinations, training and communications. As a Board member on Lab Tests Online UK, I provide support to the development of patient focussed information across several pathology specialties. 

What do you enjoy about this work, and how has it benefited your professional development or practice? 

I enjoy being part of the strong team approach we have within the Transfusion SAC, which includes trainees as well as colleagues with medical and scientific backgrounds from across the UK. We are focused on tackling key issues in clinical and laboratory transfusion practice towards safe patient care. 

The discussions at the College Trustee Board are wide and varied, bringing together a wealth of experience and information towards oversight of essential College activities. 

I’m proud to be part of developing the Lab Tests Online UK patient resources which are widely used with increasing linkage with tests results available via the NHS App. 

What have been the positives of volunteering with the College, and what advice would you give to other members interested in getting involved? 

There are many challenges facing the NHS and across all specialties and we have to pull together to address these going forward. Volunteering as an examiner and participating within various College committees helps support critical functions towards maintaining standards and developing our specialties further to also encourage future generations which is essential. Interacting with colleagues within these volunteer roles also helps exchange views together with peer support and a shared approach to tackling key issues and advocating for our specialties. 

What are your hopes for the future of pathology in your particular field/specialty? 

Pathology is essential to patient care, and each specialty, including haematology and transfusion, is an important contributor to this. We need to ensure wider awareness of the pivotal role of all pathology specialties in diagnosis, treatment and disease prevention to other colleagues across the NHS, patients, the public, and policy makers. 

We all need to work with the College and support efforts towards key functions. This doesn’t just maintain specialties, but also pushes development and innovation going forward, striving for excellence in patient care. 

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Dr Allard is also a volunteer for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) – a charity that promotes the mental health benefits of gardening while also raising money for healthcare. The NGS Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health 2026 features an interview with Shubha about her role as a publicity volunteer for the charity. You can find it on pages 227–229 (114–115 on the digital pages). 

Keep an eye out for more volunteer spotlights this week as we continue celebrating National Volunteers’ Week. As always, if you are interested in getting involved in College activities, take a look at our current opportunities.  

If you have any questions on our member spotlights, or have an idea for a blog you’d like to write, please get in touch with the Member Engagement and Support team.