National Pathology Week
National Pathology Week (NPW) is our annual celebration of pathology, when we highlight the important contribution pathologists make to healthcare. Working in partnership with pathologists and laboratory scientists, our programme of events and activities aims to engage people of all ages, and improve public awareness and understanding of how pathologists and scientists diagnose disease.
We welcome pathology-related events and activities of all sizes, and various formats (including online), in our nationwide programme. We’ve got lots of ideas and free resources to help with planning and delivering great activities.
National Pathology Week 2025
NPW 2025 will run from 3–9 November. The theme for 2025 is 'Pathology Solutions'. We hope this theme inspires exciting events and discussions around innovation and new ideas in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
RCPath parliamentary event
The RCPath will be delivering a high-profile event at the House of Commons on 4 November. Dr Simon Opher MP, is kindly sponsoring this important event, which will also bear the title ‘Pathology Solutions’. The event will offer a unique opportunity to communicate to parliamentarians and other key stakeholders how pathology services are working at the forefront of our health system, and how pivotal they will be to the successful implementation of the NHS 10-year health plan. The event is invitation only, please contact Demelza Barker if you have any questions.
Thank you to our Industry sponsors for this event: Novo Nordisk, Roche Diagnostics and Illumina.
Novo Nordisk, Roche, and Illumina have provided sponsorship to the Royal College of Pathologists to support the cost of this meeting. These sponsoring companies have had no influence over the meeting agenda or arrangements.
International Pathology Day (IPD)
The RCPath’s IPD virtual conference on 5 November will celebrate the vital contributions of pathology professionals around the world. This year’s theme, ‘The global pathology workforce’, highlights the dedication and expertise of pathologists and laboratory scientists who are at the heart of healthcare systems across the world. Jim Campbell, Director of the Health Workforce Department at the World Health Organization (WHO), will open the event taking part in a conversation with Professor Peter Johnston, Vice President for Workforce and Corporate Engagement.
Pathology Alliance online event
The College is also working in partnership with the Pathology Alliance to deliver an engaging online event called ‘Pathology Solutions: how tests help patients’ on 5 November at 6pm GMT. Speakers working in a variety of pathology specialties will present short, snappy talks on different pathology tests, from common tests such as Full Blood Count to tests that are less well known such as multiplex PCR tests for respiratory infections. This Zoom-based event will be chaired by Dr Suzy Lishman CBE and is open to all but might be of particular interest to undergraduates and upper secondary school students.
Undergraduate quiz
The College is running an online pathology quiz for UK and international undergraduates studying relevant degrees on 12 November at 2pm GMT. The event is being run as a collaboration between the College’s public engagement and international teams in the week after National Pathology Week and International Pathology Day.
Ways to get involved
Interested in hosting your own event for NPW 2025? Here are some ideas of activities you can run:
- set up a stall in your hospital or university to showcase what your team does. You can order free RCPath promotional materials here.
- run a hands-on activity for your local community. Check out our free resources and activity packs here.
- give a careers talk to your local schools or universities. Have a look at our 'how to' guide for more details.
- run a lab tour.
Downloadable NPW logos and graphics
Become a pathology ambassador
We've teamed up with STEM Learning to provide our members with the opportunity to sign up to the national STEM ambassador scheme. More information is available in STEM Learning's handbook and leaflet provided below and on our Pathology ambassadors page.