RCPI Faculty of Pathology Annual Symposium brings insights from every corner of the specialty
Insights from the spectrum of the pathology specialties were heard at RCPI Faculty of Pathology Annual Symposium, held at No. 6 Kildare Street on 12-13 February.
The important college meeting, introduced by faculty dean Prof Mary Keogan and the chair of the faculty’s Scientific Meetings Committee Prof Seán Hynes, began with presentations by our 2026 honorary fellows.
Prof John R. Srigley (Senior Consultant in Oncological and Urological Pathology in the Program of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics at Trillium Health Partners, one of the largest community-academic hospitals in Canada) delivered a presentation about how re-focusing the role of pathologist as a “diagnostic oncologist” granted him access to “bigger picture” improvements in healthcare in Canada. Developments in primary immunodeficiency and the use of molecular mechanisms in personalised treatment were discussed by Prof Siobhán Burns (Consultant immunologist at the Royal Free Hospital London).
The growing crisis in the provision of autopsies in Ireland was the focus of a joint presentation by Prof Linda Mulligan (Chief State Pathologist) and Dr Laura Aalto (Neonatal Pathologist, University Hospital Galway). Several large histopathology departments have had to cease to provide an autopsy service over the past 10-15 years impacting on the provision of the service and training.
Prof Mulligan warned about the severe impacts of a reduced autopsy service highlighting that “we rely heavily on histopathology. There isn’t a training programme in forensic pathology. What will happen to the forensic service if we don’t have sustainable histopathology service?” “We also rely heavily on neuropathology, who are experts in examination of brain, spinal cord, muscle and nerve,” she said.
Dr Aaolto emphasised the impact of the crisis on medical training. “We still need our staff to be adequately trained. We need interested and qualified people to cater for the 6,000 autopsies we legally need to do in Ireland per year,” she said.
Trainees on RCPI’s Higher Specialist Training in Histopathology programme are required to complete a Royal College of Pathologists UK’s examination: Certificate of Higher Autopsy Training. In response to reduced opportunities for exposure, RCPI has made available a simulation-based bootcamp in autopsy for HST Histopathology trainees during their induction.
“It’s about having a robust death investigation system,” said Prof Buckley. She discussed the recommendations outlined by “The Provision of an Autopsy Service in Ireland,” a position paper by RCPI Faculty of Pathology. That called for cross-departmental action by government to establish a coronial autopsy service that contracts consultants in funded posts and is exempt from headcount restrictions. Prof Buckley reminded who autopsy services ultimately benefit: “Autopsy is a service for the living.”
An update on the RCPI National Histopathology Quality Improvement programme was given by Dr Linda Feeley (Consultant histopathologist, Cork University Hospital). This evidence-based programme sets targets for histopathology laboratories to track their performance in key areas. According to Dr Feeley, 28 laboratories participate in the programme, and cytology tests were found to have the highest performing turnaround times.
The symposium significantly saw the launch of the HSE “Outline Strategic Plan for Laboratory Services 2026-2035,” with the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry and Chief Medical Officer Prof Mary Horgan in attendance. The plan is a roadmap for a cohesive laboratory infrastructure to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
In a session focused on pathological anatomy museums in Ireland, Ms Harriet Wheelock (RCPI Keeper of Collections) presented a brief history of these in Ireland. Consultant histopathologist Prof Louise Burke, who teaches at University College Cork, spoke of the importance of a framework for the use of pathological specimens in teaching.
A packed first day concluded with presentations by RCPI pathology trainees from all specialities. Consideration was given to the Dr John O’Dowd Medal given to the best Quality Improvement project, honouring the dedicated histopathologist who sadly died in 2023. The award was presented to Dr Michael O’Meara (HST Chemical Pathology trainee), who assessed adherence to American Diabetes Association standards of care in University Hospital Galway.
Other presentations for the rapid fire presentations were given by Dr Ciara De Buitleir (HST Chemical Pathology trainee, St. James’s Hospital); Dr Anne-Marie Dolan (HST Clinical Microbiology trainee, Beaumont Hospital); Dr Zachary Ramsamaroo (HST Clinical Microbiology trainee, University Hospital Waterford); Dr Greta Galambosi (HST Histopathology trainee, St. Vincent’s University Hospital); and Dr Louise Murray (BST Histopathology trainee, Cork University Hospital).
The John D Kennedy Medal, named after the RCPI Faculty of Pathology founder, and recognising an exceptional contribution by a pathologist within seven years of completing their training, was awarded to Dr Grave Neville (Consultant histopathologist, Cork University Hospital). She reviewed archived slides in the Massachusetts and Brigham Women’s Hospitals U.S. to investigate the rare phenomenon of somatic malignancies arising in ovarian mature cystic teratoma.
The George Green Medal, named in remembrance of the historical first communication to the Dublin Pathological Society by the professor in 1838, and recognising outstanding research by a trainee, was awarded to Dr Kate Ridge (HST Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Galway) for a project aiming to diagnose patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria earlier in order to deliver personalised effective treatment.
An inside look on doing a clinical fellowship was given by Dr Robyn Traynor (HST Clinical Microbiology trainee), who is doing an out-of-clinical-programme experience year at HSE Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control (AMRIC).
The second day of the symposium began with an update on the new national laboratory information system MedLIS. Histopathologist Dr Gerard Crotty (HSE National Clinical Lead MedLIS project) explained the system, which so far has launched in Beaumont Hospital and is scheduled to go live in Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan General Hospital in March 2026, and in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda in mid-2026.
In a session focusing on medical protection issues in Laboratory Medicine, barrister Alicia Hayes discussed practical challenges for pathologists at inquest, and coroner Dr Mary McCaffrey spoke about the importance of communication beyond the microscope to take care of oneself.
The final session was a satellite symposium on molecular pathology and precision medicine which was begun by Prof Seán Hynes (Consultant histopathologist, University Hospital Galway), who gave an update on testing in Ireland for the transmembrane protein PDL1 – which he described as a kind of cancer “camouflage.” A German perspective on biomarker testing was given by Prof Katharina Tiemann (Consultant molecular pathologist, Institute of Hematopathology Hamburg), who said that with the rising number of identifiable biomarkers, there’s a growing need for resources for immunochemistry testing.
Clinical scientist Dr. Jonathan Dean went through the journey of virus sequencing at the UCD National Virus Reference Library. Finally, Prof Owen Smith (Consultant haematologist, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin) gave a tour de force of the MAGIC-I programme which integrate whole genomic sequencing into child, adolescent and young adult cancer care.
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