- Published:
- 30 March 2026
- Author:
- Elizabeth Collins
- Read time:
- 3 Mins
Elizabeth Collins shares her perspective as a patient and how this relates to her role as a Lay Advisor at the College.
When I applied to join the College team as a Lay Advisor in 2025, I was motivated by several factors. During my career, I developed enthusiasm for promoting learning and development, which meant I was keen to be part of the College’s mission to further public education in pathology, as well as study and research. I live in the north of England and the gap between the highest and lowest healthy life expectancy in the UK is deeply troubling to me.1
My early months as a Lay Advisor were spent familiarising myself with roles and governance. I reflected upon my own motivating factors and the College’s potential role in new models for care, considering the shifts indicated by the 10-Year Health Plan for England. I was struck by a realisation that none of the ambitions articulated for new models for improving care – whether related to technology, medicine or innovation – will be delivered without an integrated approach, encompassing the full range of professions.
A quick glance at the College homepage by this layperson reflected the role that pathologists might play in delivering NHS ambitions for the coming decade, including through the Lab Tests Online-UK resource. Its detailed descriptions of tests and conditions is a powerful tool for laypeople. As a free resource provided by the Association for Laboratory Medicine in partnership with the Royal College of Pathologists and the Institute of Biomedical Science, laypeople are assured it is evidence-based. Of course, this is important now I can access my GP health record, including test results, from my smart phone.
This was brought home to me when I received news via the NHS App that the results of a recent hepatic function panel indicated that all was not well (my use of the term ‘hepatic function panel’ demonstrates that this layperson did indeed engage with Lab Tests Online-UK to look up the formal name for liver blood tests).
Thankfully, it was nothing serious, but I was crestfallen to learn that, despite years as designated driver, I did not have the pristine liver I had imagined. It was time for a mid-life glow up. In improving my health, I reduced my weight by 25%, and subsequent tests reflected I did my liver a favour.
Why share this, when the initial liver blood test results didn’t even result in a follow up GP appointment, never mind an onward referral?
Let us consider the impact of this routine laboratory medicine test: I received the results via the NHS App, then utilised evidence-based online resources. Professionals and services associated with the College equipped me to make change for a healthier life, reflecting the 3 shifts of analogue to digital, treatment to prevention and hospital to community.
‘How wonderful that the College helped motivate Elizabeth as a Lay Advisor and as a patient seeking to lead a healthier life, all while fulfilling its own mission and aligning with the NHS’s ambitions’, readers might say. They would be correct, but how would they know, if I hadn’t told them?
This brings me to a call for action. As a motivated Lay Advisor, it was my role to find out. In sharing my reasons for taking the role on, I mentioned the College’s mission to further public education in pathology. When I read this, I noticed objectives included fostering a sense of pride in members. So, I suggest we take the opportunity to educate and celebrate in tandem; making progress across the mission will help achieve the objective. The College is doing great things for public education with potential for genuine impact. Realising the benefits includes making them known. Mine won’t be the only grateful liver.
Reference available on our website.
Meet the author
-
Elizabeth Collins
Lay Advisor
