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Workforce planning and strategy

Workforce planning helps to get the right people with the right skills in the right place, at the right time and at the right costs.

The state of the UK pathology workforce 

The pathology workforce is, first and foremost, people who dedicate their lives to pathology and laboratory services to the benefit of patients and healthcare. The amount and complexity of the work that they do are impacted by the expectations and the resources available, including the quality of the environment in which they function. 

Workforce planning is essential to the provision of an efficient, high-quality pathology service.

The College is committed to addressing the challenges facing our pathology workforce and recognises our role in advocating for the resources needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of pathology services.

The work we do

The College collates workforce data and intelligence through our workforce census, surveys, and research. This data is then used to enable us to advocate for pathology when influencing key external stakeholders such as national policy makers and when responding to workforce consultations. To support workforce planning, the College has launched a new Workforce Strategy which is grounded by the following 6 aims:

  • gather and report on intelligence 
  • engage and influence stakeholders 
  • enable the next generation of pathologists (train)
  • support our established workforce (retain)
  • transform ways of working (reform)
  • prioritise patient care (contingency).

Download the Workforce Strategy 2025–2028

The College's workforce strategy advocates for pathology services that are fit for the future.

Find out more

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Our workforce reports

Read the College's latest research into the pathology workforce.

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Workforce census

The College is committed to collecting comprehensive workforce data that we can use to advocate for and support effective workforce planning for pathology services across the UK.

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Responses to workforce consultations and position statements

The College’s Workforce and Engagement team engage with various stakeholders across the UK to respond to calls for evidence or respond to consultations related to the pathology workforce.