From the Editor
Welcome to the October Bulletin, which is our 200th issue and also the last of the four issues during the College’s Diamond Jubilee year.
From the President
I am sure, like me, you were saddened by the death of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September. The death of Her Majesty was particularly poignant for us as a royal college because the The late Queen was our patron – a role she took up in 1970 when the College received its Royal Charter.
Celebrating the people and specialties of pathology
In our last Diamond Jubilee Bulletin issue, we continue to have excellent engagement from colleagues in response to our call to celebrate our pathology specialties and the people who work so tirelessly across the board.
Profile: Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam
Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam earned nationwide fame for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic as England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer and his media appearances during the Government’s public health briefings. Prior to this, Sir Jonathan held numerous positions in the private and public sectors, focusing on the study of vaccines and the epidemiology of respiratory viruses. In this profile, we hear about his many career highlights.
Profile: Dr Noha El Sakka OBE
Having recently been honoured with an OBE for her services to the NHS and the COVID-19 response, Dr Noha El Sakka shares the challenges, highlights and achievements of a career that has taken her from Alexandria to Aberdeen. She has been celebrated for her work in microbiology and virology, and was appointed as an advisor to the Scottish Government's Chief Medical Officer.
Six decades of advancement in forensic veterinary pathology
In this article, College Fellows, veterinary pathologist Professor John Cooper FRCPath with his wife and colleague, animal lawyer Mrs Margaret Cooper HonFRCPath, discuss the history and development of forensic veterinary medicine, from its beginnings as an unrecognised specialisation to its growing presence in the training and practice of pathologists.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia: a paradigm shift in diagnosis and treatment
Harry Robertson and Jane Apperley introduce the story of chronic myeloid leukaemia, with a history that stands as an exemplar for the remarkable advances that can be achieved through close collaboration between pathologists, clinicians and the pharmaceutical industry.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: past, present and future
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare disorder associated with microvascular thrombi. Here, Marie Scully and John-Paul Westwood describe progress in understanding the pathophysiology supporting prompt diagnosis and the development of novel therapies towards improving patient outcomes.
Transfusion: Twenty years of the UK Blood Service’s Systematic Review Initiative
Susan Brunskill and Lise Estcourt celebrate 20 years of the Systematic Review Initiative in transfusion medicine. In this article, they highlight the programme’s critical role in reviewing clinical practice, spearheading scientific research and updating transfusion safety standards.
The Scottish Diagnostic Virology Group: reflections from the current Chair
The Scottish Diagnostic Virology Group has been active for more than 60 years. During the College’s Diamond Jubilee year, the current Chair reflects on the history of the group and how scientific virology has evolved and thrived, now achieving even greater levels of success.
Neurodiversity and specific learning difficulties in training and the workplace: why do they matter?
This article reflects upon neurodiversity and specific learning difficulties from the perspectives of the pathology trainer and trainee. Dr Liz Hook emphasises the need for the College and pathology trainers to recognise these conditions, while Dr Rachel Rummery offers a personal account of her experiences.
Full bulletin download
Download the full October 2022 issue.