WELCOME

The School of Pathology would like to welcome Kevin McLachlan, Microbiology Service Manager at Whiston. Kevin will be attending the School Board Meetings in the capacity of Biomedical Scientist Representative.

PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL PATHOLOGY

Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology has now been recognised by the RCPath and the GMC. Trainees appointed to the new curriculum will be awarded a CCT in Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology. Advert to appoint to the specialty will be out shortly, if have any queries regarding the placement, please contact Dr George Kokai, Programme Director and Educational Supervisor in Paediatric Pathology.

ACADEMIC PATHOLOGY

The School of Pathology is very keen to implement a development plan for academic careers in pathology as part of the 3 Year Strategic Plan. Professor Nigel Cunliffe, Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool, is working closely with School Board and is happy to be a point of call for trainees who have any ideas or interested in academic Pathology.

PATHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT DAYS

Continuous Quality Improvement Day
The Continuous Quality Improvement Day took place on the 11th February 2013 and received very positive feedback.

The day focused on lean working and how working leaner can improve services within a Pathology Department. Dr Richard Cooke, Head of School of Pathology, is keen bring the Pathology specialities together and these training days help establish links within the School of Pathology.

A big thank you to the Pathology Quality Improvement Team for facilitating the day.

A follow up day has been arranged for the 28th November 2013 to allow attendees to present what techniques they had learnt from the day and how they had applied them in their department.

Workshop for Struggling Trainees
Dr Richard Cooke had recently attended a Mersey Deanery workshop for supporting struggling trainees. The intended audience was Heads of Schools and Training Programme Directors. Following the workshop it was felt that it would be very useful to run a similar programme for trainers for the School of Pathology. This has been offered to the Board and STECs in Pathology.

The Workshop will be taking place on the 23rd May 2013. If you are interested in attending, please contact Natalie Dawson

Changes to the University of Liverpool MSc in Medical Sciences Meeting
Professor Terry Jones, Director of Studies, MSc in Medical Sciences, had recently transferred established training programmes into MSc modules at a minimal cost. He presented this to the Mersey Deanery Heads of School.

Professor Jones kindly agreed to attend the Deanery on 18^th April to facilitate the School of Pathology Board with a meeting / workshop about proposed changes to the University of Liverpool MSc in Medical Sciences.

After follow-up meeting with the Head of School and Training Programme Directors, Dr Tim Neal (TPD for Medical Microbiology) is now looking at converting the Medical Microbiology tutorial programme into an MSc module.

LEPT UPDATE

For the June 2013 Portfolio Reviews Medical Microbiology and ST1 – ST3 Histopathology Trainees will be moving to a paperless portfolio.

The updated checklist can be found on the Mersey Deanery website within the Pathology Assessment Section.

MERGING OF LABS

Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL) was established on 1^st April 2013. Statement from Jane Mills, Chief Operating Officer enclosed.

The Pathology School will wish to work closely with LCL to maintain standards of training as laboratory services merger.

CAREERS FAIR

The Mersey Deanery Careers Fair is taking place on the 14^th September 2013 in the Crypt.

If you are interested in assisting, please contact Dr Alistair Thomson.

Pathology at the last Careers Fair was well received and won the prize for being the best stand.

LEAD EMPLOYER UPDATE

The Lead Employer is holding a Leavers Event on the 26^th June 2013. The event will offer career advice, advice on the workforce/jobs, pensions etc. and will have prominent guest speakers.

For further information, please contact the Lead Employer.

The Recruitment and Operations Team have merged. Charlotte Eyres is now the lead for Pathology at the Lead Employer.

12 MONTH ACTION PLAN AND 3 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

The School of Pathology held a Strategy Meeting in December 2012 to agree on the 12 Month Action Plan and the 3 Year Strategic Plan.

The plans can be found on the Mersey Deanery website within the Pathology about Us Section.

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The next e-Newsletter will be published in November 2013. If you have any ideas or updates, please send to Natalie Dawson