Joint Statement on Histopathology Training Grant

The IBMS and the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) in Health Education England (HEE) are pleased to announce new funding will soon be available to support scientists working in England to undertake IBMS/Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) histopathology qualifications.

The funding will have a direct and positive impact on IBMS members who are currently enrolled or about to enrol, via the Pathology Network route, to undertake our exams programme. It also demonstrates a tremendous mark of confidence in the Institute’s professional examinations and underlines their value in the training of scientists to undertake advanced and consultant roles.

IBMS President, Allan Wilson, commented: 

“This funding initiative is fantastic news for both scientists and patients moving forward. Histopathology laboratories have been under considerable pressure as demand for services increases. The funding will not only help to allay these pressures and give members the opportunity to undertake these new advanced roles, but also allow patients to reap the benefits of new developments in diagnostics, monitoring and therapy in cancer, assisting in future-proofing NHS cancer services."

Professor Berne Ferry, Head of HSHCS, who led this development, commented:  

"The School is delighted to announce the funding of training grants to scientists undertaking the IBMS/RCPath histopathology professional qualifications. The School recognises the dedication and commitment of biomedical scientists undertaking this training and looks forward to working with the IBMS going forward to support this advanced practice training in histopathology."

Joint Statement on Histopathology Training Grant

Histopathology is nationally recognised as a shortage speciality and has been identified as a priority not only within Health Education England’s (HEE) Cancer Workforce Plan but also by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) in HEE. As histopathology requests have increased 4.5% year on year since 2007, and with the prevalence of cancer also increasing annually, it is vital that the scientific workforce that underpins this critical service is trained, supported and enabled to respond to the ever-increasing workloads.

The IBMS along with the NSHCS in HEE are pleased to announce new funding to support biomedical scientists working in England undertaking IBMS/RCPath histopathology professional qualifications. More information about these can be found on the links below.

This project will aim to increase the number of scientists dissecting and reporting.

Support will be available to employers of the Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting, in Histological Dissection and the Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection. These diplomas are rigorous and highly respected professional qualifications that address a workforce need.

Funds will support candidates in the following ways:

•  To provide a one-off training grant to support the current cohort of healthcare scientist trainees, and those due to start in 2020, undertaking the Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting and the ASD or DEP dissection qualifications, which will be based on an assessment of the need of each individual trainee compared to all trainees’ needs across the full programme with the aim of reducing attrition from the course and ensuring completion
•  Administer funding for 58 new trainees to be recruited to the Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting and the dissection examination programmes through the 29 pathology networks in 20/21 and 21/22
• Offer enhanced examination support to trainees on the Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histopathology Reporting and the dissection qualifications to ensure candidates are well-prepared for their exams.

Further details about our Histopathology Qualifications can be found on our Histopathology Reporting Page and Dr Jo Horne’s case study.