From the Editor – October 2024

Published:: 17 October 2024
Author:: Angharad Davies
Read time:: 4 Mins

The theme of this issue of the Bulletin is health inequalities. Over the past few weeks, I am sure many of you will have read Lord Darzi’s report into the state of the England's National Health Service, published in September, with similar pressures in the devolved nations' health services. It is a sobering read. Among many other issues, Lord Darzi noted that the absolute and relative proportion of our lives spent in ill-health has increased over the last decade; however, this depressing fact does not tell the whole story – because not all of society is affected equally.

So, our theme is very apt and I am especially delighted that we carry an editorial from Ruth Robertson of the King’s Fund. I hope that this, along with our feature articles considering health inequalities relating to aspects of pathology – ranging from digital pathology, to antimicrobial resistance, to genomics, to cancer diagnosis, to bone marrow transplant to the experiences of minority ethnic women accessing healthcare in Wales – will give us all pause to reflect on how we, as pathologists, can play a role in reducing health inequalities, so pervasive in all areas of medicine, including our own.

At the end of September, the United Nations General Assembly convened its second high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance – a call to action for world leaders to collectively address the threat this poses to global health. RCPath’s own International team has also been active in this space. Over the summer, the team delivered a very well-received weekly global antimicrobial resistance webinar series presented by experts worldwide – Giles Hanratty reports. Meanwhile, our International Pathology Day event in November will focus on the same topic. We have the honour of welcoming Professor Dame Sally Davies, the UK’s envoy to the UN on AMR, to open the conference, in conversation with our President, Dr Bernie Croal and Vice President for Communications, Dr Noha El-Sakka. Kelley Price previews the event.

The College has a new 5-year strategy, which reaffirms its commitment to supporting excellence in pathology for healthcare worldwide. Daniel Ross, the College’s CEO, outlines how advocacy and leadership, education and training, professional standards, and fostering a global community remain at the heart of all College activities.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a Science Lates event at the Science Museum, at which a number of talented College members and Fellows showcased the importance of pathology to the public. A snakes-and-ladders game explaining cervical cancer prevention and a ‘pathogen dating app’ were just 2 examples of the memorable and engaging activities. Now, National Pathology Week is just around the corner. This year it will have the theme ‘Pathology is Vital’ and will be coordinated collaboratively by the Pathology Alliance for the first time. Penny Fletcher’s update gives a flavour of the planned events and how you can get involved.

Our foundation and undergraduate essay competitions each attract a high standard of entries every year. This year, entrants were asked to consider the impact of climate change on health, disease and pathology – the winning essays are published in this issue. The College also has a number of annual named lectures; for this year’s Kettle Memorial Lecture, we were delighted to welcome Professor Peter Chiodini OBE to Swansea – read more here.

This issue also contains a review from Heather Keir of the 3rd edition of Putnam & Thompson’s Diagnostic Pathology: Pediatric Neoplasms, while Lorna Cain and Sarah Wheeldon report back from the recent Transfusion Transformation Symposium organised by NHS Blood and Transplant, the National Blood Transfusion Committee and NHS England.

We also have appreciations of Professor Christopher Fletcher, Professor Robin Warren and Professor Helen Whitwell, all of whom contributed so much to pathology and the profession, and who are greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.

And lastly, a number of you put your summer breaks to good use by completing our pathology crossword. Thanks to all who rose to the challenge and submitted entries! The winner was Dr Sadia Qamar of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, who will receive a prize of College merchandise. Congratulations!

From the Editor – October 2024

Meet the author

Professor Angharad Davies

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