Patient Safety Steering Group
The Patient Safety Steering Group (PSSG) has been established by the Royal College of Pathologists to champion patient safety initiatives and drive continuous improvements in the quality and safety of pathology services. In line with our Patient Safety and Quality Strategy 2024–2029, the group is dedicated to empowering the pathology workforce to deliver high-quality, safe services through innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
World Patient Safety Day 2026
World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) takes place every year on 17 September and is led by the World Health Organization. This year's theme is ‘Safe care for non-communicable diseases.’ These conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, affect millions of people worldwide and depend heavily on timely, accurate diagnostic testing for safe and effective care.
To mark WPSD 2026, we have put together a series of 3 webinars that explore how pathology can strengthen patient safety, improve diagnostic pathways and support better outcomes for patients. Find out more about the webinars and enter our LinkedIn competition at www.rcpath.org/WPSD.
World Patient Safety Day 2025
As part of the ongoing work of the PSSG, we hosted a webinar in honour of World Patient Safety Day on 16 September 2025 on the topic of 'Improving paediatric and neonatal care through clinical pathological pathways'. The event was chaired by Dr Michael Eden, the Clinical Director of Safety and Quality and chair of the PSSG. Speakers included College President, Dr Bernie Croal, Paediatric Pathologist Professor Marta Cohen (Vice President, Learning) and Consultant Medical Microbiology and Virology, Dr Noha El Sakka OBE (Vice President, Communications).
Find out more about the event here and watch the recording of the webinar below.
Chair: Dr Michael Eden
Committee Members
- Professor Peter Johnston - Vice President (Workforce and Corporate Services)
- Dr Laszlo Igali - Vice President (Professional Practice)
- Dr Jeff Allen - Lay Committee Member
- Dr Sarah Bell - Elected member
- Dr Ryan Clark - Elected member
- Dr Gillian Evans - Elected member
- Ms Pandina Kwong - Elected member
- Dr Vinita Mishra - Elected member
- Dr Shruthi Narayan - Elected member
- Dr Riina Richardson - Elected member
- Dr John A Tadross - Elected member
- Dr Shubha Allard - National Blood Transfusion Committee - Co-opted representative
- Jennifer Norman - UKAS - Co-opted representative
- Jayne Wheway - NHSE - Co-opted representative
- Victoria Heath - Wales representative
- Gareth McKeeman - Northern Ireland Representative
- Catherine Ross - Scotland Representative
- Maria Marrero Feo - Professional Guidelines Manager & Project Lead
- Reece Carfrae - Senior Professional Guidelines Officer
- Thadcha Retneswaran - Professional Guidelines Officer
