RCPath/IBMS Histopathology Reporting Conjoint Board

The Histopathology Reporting Conjoint Board is established between The Royal College of Pathologists and the Institute of Biomedical Sciences.

Administration of the Conjoint Board is undertaken by the IBMS but the Chair rotates between the College and the IBMS. The Conjoint Board reports to the Councils of both organisations (via the Cellular Pathology SAC for the College).

These are some Frequently Asked Questions that the College has received about Histopathology Reporting.

Histopathology Reporting FAQ

Histopathology Reporting FAQ

What is the intention of BMS Reporting and what measures have been put in place to ensure patient safety?

Are departments currently embarking on BMS reporting fully aware of the challenges as well as the benefits and opportunities it presents?

What is the purpose of the Stage A and Stage C examinations and what has been done to ensure an appropriate standard for the examination?

Are there plans for the College to develop modular histopathology examinations for postgraduate histopathology trainees?

What are the entry requirements for the Histopathology Reporting programme?

What is the effect of the Histopathology Reporting programme on medical histopathology training?

Has BMS Histopathology Reporting had any effect on medical registrar training?

What is the College doing to ensure that medical graduates continue to be attracted to histopathology training?

Does the Histopathology Reporting programme provide the same checks and balances as medical histopathology training?

How is it ensured that consultant trainers provide appropriate feedback to Biomedical Scientists in the Histopathology Reporting programme?

Are there a sufficient range of trainers to support the Histopathology Reporting programme?

What arrangements have been put in place to ensure that Biomedical Scientists undertaking the Histopathology Reporting programme have access to expertise in general histopathology?

Does Histopathology Reporting impact on the hiring and retention of BMS staff to perform laboratory tasks if they become reporters?

How is the College balancing its efforts on the Histopathology Reporting programme with its other work to increase the medically qualified histopathology workforce?

Should the BMS reporter role have a nationally agreed remit and job title?

Does the College envisage that there may be subspecialty teams entirely staffed by BMS reporters in the future?

How has Histopathology Reporting been developed between the RCPath and the IBMS?

Does the Histopathology Reporting programme mirror the GMC-approved histopathology curriculum and training programme?

Why do the examining bodies for BMS reporters, the RCPath and IBMS, give CCT in Histopathology to BMS reporters?

What has the College done to be open about Histopathology Reporting with the membership?

How does the Histopathology Reporting Conjoint Board fit in terms of the governance of the College?

Who is responsible for the Terms of Reference for the Conjoint Board?

Is the Conjoint Board able to amend their terms of reference without communicating with the College?

Is the College supportive of the Conjoint Board?

How has College membership of the Conjoint Board evolved over time?

Chair: Dr Gerry Van Schalkwyk (RCPath)

Committee Members