The Royal College of Pathologists' submission to the government's 10-Year Health Plan for England calls for urgent investment in the pathology workforce, IT, and estates.
Publishing its submission to the consultation on the future of the NHS, The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) comments: “Without increasing the workforce and strengthening pathology infrastructure, patient care and treatment will be critically undermined.”
College President Dr Bernie Croal adds: “Pathology services are crucial for the delivery of healthcare and will be central to the government's ambition to fix and strengthen the NHS. Pathology is essential for healthcare, vital for patients and a cornerstone for the Government's 10-year plan. The three shifts to prevention, digitisation and the community will all rely on pathology services to be equipped with the relevant workforce infrastructure, estate and IT.”
As part of its submission the College is calling for investment and reform in:
- The pathology workforce. Workforce numbers are dangerously low. Pathologist and scientist shortfalls across specialties range from around 15-30% and are forecast to increase by 20% over the next 10 years. The 10-Year Health Plan must ensure robust workforce planning for pathology. The College is calling for additional 150 pathology training posts across all 17 specialties coupled with an increase in consultant posts.
- IT, digital, AI and automation. Technology is key to a modern, efficient, joined-up diagnostic pathology service, but many services rely on antiquated technology. Services urgently need to be modernised to allow more efficient, cost-effective processes and to support digitisation, interoperability and standardisation. This will allow diagnostic test requesting and reporting to take place seamlessly and to be integrated across the rest of healthcare.
- Pathology estates. Many pathology departments are located in dilapidated buildings that are not fit for purpose, holding back developments in digital technology and automation. A lack of space for staff and poor facilities means that expanding training opportunities will be limited. In particular, urgent action is needed to improve the estates for mortuary, blood sciences and genomic services.
RCPath’s full submission to the NHS consultation can be read at https://www.rcpath.org/resourceLibrary/rcpath-nhs-10-year-plan-submission-pdf.html.