History of the NHS Histopathology Training Schools

In the past, small numbers of SHOs were scattered around most histopathology departments in the country.  Unusually, the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trusts' Department of Pathology accumulated six SHOs in 2000-01 and concluded that it was possible to improve standards of teaching and train cohorts of trainees together more effectively.  This was seen as the answer to the UK's need to train more histopathologists. 

As part of the NHS Plan and the NHS Cancer Plan the Schools project was introduced by the NHS Modernisation committee in 2000 to ensure adequate human resources within British Pathology to respond to increasing demands for laboratory services, especially in cancer care.

Entry to Specialty Registrar training is as ST1 level only and therefore be the only method by which the vast majority of doctors will be able to enter Histopathology.  All Training Schools operate an innovative education and training prgramme, approved by the Royal College of Pathologists and the relevant Postgraduate Deans.

Training in the separate departments follows the curriculum of the Royal College of Pathologists.  There are generally one-week period of block teaching either nationally or regionally.  Over the year, approximately 25% of the working week is devoted to prgrammed teaching, a much higher proportion than in most other clinical specialties.  Consultants deliver the majority of the teaching sessions.