World Patient Safety Day

World Patient Safety Day 2026 - ‘Safe care for noncommunicable diseases’

Each year’s theme focuses on a critical area of healthcare safety. This year, the theme is ‘Safe care for noncommunicable diseases'. In this context, pathology plays a central role in timely, accurate diagnoses and appropriate interventions across the 17 specialties. Pathologists and laboratory staff play a critical, often behind-the-scenes role in managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are responsible for the majority of deaths in the UK.

Sign up for our 2026 events

1 September - Improving patient safety through Point of Care Testing

This webinar will explore how Point of Care Testing (POCT) can enhance patient safety, improve access to care, and support better clinical decision-making. Through expert-led presentations and real-world case studies, attendees will examine the benefits and risks of POCT, emerging technologies and best-practice approaches to governance, quality assurance and service delivery. This interactive session will provide practical insights for healthcare professionals, laboratory staff, biomedical scientists and pathologists seeking to strengthen the safety, quality and effectiveness of POCT services.

8 September - Advancing paediatric and maternal health in the UK and abroad

Join us for a webinar exploring the key challenges and opportunities in improving maternal and paediatric health in the UK and internationally. Bringing together experts from pathology, laboratory medicine and clinical practice, the session will examine the role of early diagnosis, screening, prevention and multidisciplinary collaboration in improving outcomes for mothers and children. Attendees will gain insights into addressing health inequalities, strengthening healthcare services and advancing patient safety through effective diagnostic and care pathways.

14 September - Joined-up healthcare: designing error out of diagnostic pathways

As healthcare pathways become increasingly complex, ensuring that diagnostic services work seamlessly across specialties, organisations and systems is critical to improving patient safety. This webinar will explore how a joined-up approach to healthcare can reduce diagnostic errors by focusing on system design, communication, accountability and integration across the patient journey.

Bringing together experts from across several pathology specialties, the session will examine the role of both digital and non-digital solutions in creating safer diagnostic pathways. Attendees will gain insights into common challenges, opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning and practical approaches to improving collaboration, reducing risk and delivering safer, more coordinated care for patients.

Enter our social media competition

Post a photo or short 1-2 minute video on X, with a caption to answer the following question: What is your lab/team doing to improve patient safety?
Submit your entry between 14-20 September 2026. Use the hashtag #RCPathWPSD and tag us @RCPath.

About World Patient Safety Day

World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) was launched by the World Health Organization in 2019. It is held annually on 17 September and aims to promote global awareness and action to enhance patient safety. It’s a moment to reflect, not just on what can go wrong in healthcare, but on what we can all do to prevent harm, reduce risk and learn from errors.

The WPSD campaign sits within the work of the College’s Patient Safety Steering Group (PSSG) and links to the Patient Safety and Quality Strategy.

WPSD 2025

To mark World Patient Safety Day 2025, the College hosted a live webinar on '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.