Recent reported cases of cancer misdiagnoses have reaffirmed the critical and important role of a histopathology quality assurance programme. The successful introduction of this programme requires common purpose and collaboration between pathologists, medical laboratory scientists and hospital management to ensure the delivery of high-quality cancer care in Ireland.

Recognising the importance of this programme the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme has provided funding to the Faculty which has resulted in the appointment of a Project Manager for the National Quality Assurance Programme in Histopathology.  The new Project Manager, Ms Aine Cadden, will be responsible for preparing a strategic implementation plan and will work directly with hospitals to quickly advance this major project. Ms Cadden has considerable experience managing complex cross functional projects in dynamic business environments and has significant experience in both working in and managing laboratory activity. She has extensive experience in assessing, creating and implementing quality procedures and policies, and working to ensure compliance.

The role of the Faculty of Pathology in quality assurance

The Faculty of Pathology, RCPI has worked with Professor Tom Keane and the National Cancer Control Programme on a range of significant initiatives designed to monitor and improve quality assurance of pathology services in Ireland. These include external quality assurance; dissemination of guidelines to internal and external stakeholders; competence assurance systems for pathologists; and the establishment of expert pathology panels in a range of cancer areas.

Following the initial HIQA report (April 2008), the Histopathology subgroup of the Faculty of Pathology, RCPI reviewed the reports recommendations and prepared a set of proposals as to how the Faculty might best respond to this and other reports dealing with pathology services.  A key proposal of the report was the implementation of a robust clinical governance framework to include the Faculty’s Histopathology Quality Assurance Programme. To that end, a Forum on Quality Assurance took place on Tuesday 17th June 2008.  The Forum was attended by representatives of histopathology laboratories and other key stakeholders from the majority of hospitals in the country. While significant challenges were identified with the implementation of the programme, particularly in respect to IT, the process of a national QA programme in Histopathology is now well underway.