The Southwest Training programmes in Histopathology
The Southwest has 2 independent training programmes
* Peninsula programme rotating across 3 Trusts - Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
* Severn programme rotating across 4 Trusts - Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, North Bristol NHS Trust, Royal United Hospitals (Bath) & Royal National hospital For Rheumatic Diseases, North Bristol NHS Trust.
Within the UK, year one Histopathology Trainees (ST1s) are grouped together into Training Schools. The South West Histopathology Training School is a collaboration of Severn Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) and South West Peninsula PGME. ST1s in this School will be based in one of these regions for the duration of their training. At national recruitment, applicants indicate their Training School preferences. Applicants wanting to join the South West Training School can select the preference of training within Severn or Peninsula.
The Training School is also part of the Southern Cluster of Schools, which includes Oxford, Wessex and Wales.
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Pathologists are responsible for making 70% of all diagnoses.
Histopathology is a key clinical specialty in which the pathologist provides diagnosis on the basis of microscopic and macroscopic
examination of tissue specimens in collaboration with surgeons, physicians, radiologists and the wider multidisciplinary team.
Histopathologists directly inform the clinical decision making process subsequently impacting directly upon patient treatment and management. It is therefore imperative that histopathologists not only have a keen eye for detail, but possess excellent communication skills and have the adaptability to be able to function well within a team and as individuals.
The specialty incorporates surgical (anatomical) pathology, cytopathology, autopsy pathology, neuropathology, perinatal & paediatric pathology and forensic pathology.
Key Skills and Personal Attributes
- Investigative/problem solving skills
- Able to utilise various sources of information including clinical, radiological and histological information
- Excellent all-round medical and surgical knowledge
- Good communication skills
- Manual dexterity, practical skills and a good eye for detail
- Ability to work as part of a team including pathologists, biomedical scientists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and nurses
- Able to work independently in an efficient and proactive manner
Recruitment into Histopathology Training in England and Wales
Histopathology is currently a run-through (ST1 to ST5) training programme and is available for entry after completion of the Foundation Programme. The ST1 entry Person Specification can be found on the Royal College of Pathology webpage Medical Recruitment and The Royal College of Pathologists
Recruitment is run nationally every December. Please refer to the Royal College of Pathologists webpage for more details Medical Recruitment . Successful applicants joining the specialty, will follow the Royal College of Pathologist’s Histopathology Curriculum 2021 which sets the expected syllabus as well as required assessments and work load case numbers. All trainees undergo the ARCP process.
Year One Specialty Trainees (ST1s) enter Stage A of the programme. This is an intense year of basic training in all areas of cellular pathology and culminates in an end of year assessment (Stage A Examination). Stage B of training takes place in year 2-3 with the focus on achieving the FRCPath Part 1 Exam.
Stage C training takes place during ST3-4 whereby trainees focus on achieving the FRCPath Part 2 Exam, thereby obtaining the status of Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. Stage C allows trainees to continue with general histopathology or peruse subspecialisation in neuropathology, paediatric/perinatal pathology, cytopathology or forensic pathology. Those trainees in Stage C who wish to continue in general histopathology may opt to sit further exams in cervical cytopathology and autopsy practice if they wish to continue these as a consultant.
Stage D (ST5+) is the final stage of training before CCT during which histopathology trainees may wish to peruse special interests in particular subspecialties.
