Introducing our theme: Pathology solutions

It can often be all too easy to feel bogged down in problems while delivering our services – but pathology is a field of innovation and innovators, ideally placed to find and implement answers to health service challenges.

 With this in mind, Pathology Solutions was the theme of National Pathology Week and of a parliamentary event organised by the College at the House of Commons in November 2025. This flagship event showcased the contribution of pathologists and allowed the College to engage directly with policymakers, showing them what pathology can bring to the table to help implement the NHS plan. Read about the event here, alongside a round-up of other National Pathology Week activities. At the parliamentary event, there was also a strong emphasis on the importance of the pathology workforce in delivering the solutions we have to offer: College’s workforce strategy is now well underway and we have an update on this work.

We also explore examples of solutions in pathology that are improving services for patients. The NHS is the first health system worldwide to prioritise commissioned blood-based testing over traditional tissue biopsies within specific diagnostic pathways – Sian Morgan writes about the rise of liquid biopsy in UK cancer diagnostic pathways. Neema Mayor and Caitlin Farrow of the charity Anthony Nolan share how research has led to action to start resolving haematopoietic cell transplant inequity. Finally, we are never further than a few seconds from an app nowadays, if it’s not already in our pockets – Shruthi Narayan explains the Serious Hazards of Transfusion team’s new patient safety solution, the My Transfusion App.

Huge thanks to all our contributors and I wish all our readers a new year filled with solutions!

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