Speciality: Histopathology
1 a. What particular specialty learning opportunities does this program provide e.g. sub-specialty exposure,
especially those which are not available elsewhere?
This programme provides the full range of diagnostic surgical pathology and cytology, with opportunities to work with
specialists in many areas including haematopathology, dermatopathology and breast, GI, lung, hepatobiliary,
gynaecological, renal, opthalmic and bone/soft tissue pathology. In addition, subspecialty experience is available in
neuropathology, paediatric and perinatal pathology and forensic pathology all within the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
b. How do trainees access these opportunities?
Trainees will spend most of their training within Glasgow, but will rotate out to the General Departments for 2-3 sixmonth periods during run-through training. Within Glasgow, trainees rotate through the specialty teams monthly and
are also seconded to paediatric pathology and neuropathology for subspecialist training to meet the requirements of
the RCPath Core Curriculum. Trainees also have access to medico-legal autopsies as arranged with the forensic
department and when rotating to Forth Valley Royal and Crosshouse Hospitals.
2 a. What opportunities are there for research, audit and teaching?
Audit projects are actively encouraged in each rotation with the opportunity to present findings at local and national
meetings. There are many opportunities to participate in teaching, including undergraduate medical students PBL
teaching, dental teaching and lecturing to nurses and science students. There is a weekly regional half day postgraduate
teaching for pathology trainees and participation is expected. There is an active programme of pathology-related
research which interested trainees can access.
b. How do trainees access these opportunities?
Via educational supervisors and clinical supervisors.
3 a. How are rotations on hospital sites organised?
Rotations are decided by the educational subcommittee on an individual trainee basis following requests from
trainees and taking into account their specific training needs at any given point in their programme.
b. Which hospitals are involved?
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow; Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert; Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock; Monklands Hospital,
Airdrie; Forensic Medicine.
c. What degree of choice is there for trainees?
Trainees submit a request for their preferred hospital(s) with reasons for this preference. The Training Programme
Director plans the rotations and this is approved by the educational subcommittee.
4. What teaching (e.g. day-release or exam preparation) or learning opportunities (e.g. e-learning, OOPE), are
unique to this post or a key feature in the West?
In the ST1 year there is block teaching together with other trainees in Scotland. This includes a 1 week introductory
course held in the West, a 2 week pre-ST1 assessment course held elsewhere in Scotland and a mock OSPE. Alongwith short courses in Cytology (cervical screening and non-gynaecological) Paediatric and Neuropathology,
Programme Description
Pathology is the “hidden science behind medicine”. The pathologist is an essential member of the multidisciplinary
team when it comes to patient management.
The West of Scotland training programme in pathology is an excellent training programme which conforms to all of
the formal training guidelines laid out by the Royal College of Pathologists. This programme is unique in Scotland as
the West of Scotland training departments are able to offer a superb mix of specialist and generalist training across
the full range of specialties within pathology. This includes Paediatric Pathology, Neuropathology and Forensic
Medicine, giving trainees the opportunity to sub-specialise if desired. Many of the central hospitals are tertiary referral
centres for highly specialised surgery, therefore producing a variety of complex resections and interesting pathology
not seen elsewhere. Trainees are closely supervised and their training needs are carefully monitored throughout this
5-6 year programme. The West of Scotland has many training resources locally and the deanery supports training
and educational opportunities outwith the deanery when required, especially in run up to exams. The West also offers
great opportunities for trainees to participate in teaching and research which are available through the university
academic department. The West has had an excellent pass rate for both part 1 and 2 exams over recent years.
Providing all the College training guidelines are met, career progression is relatively quick with opportunities to take
time out for research if required. Histopathology is non-core and entry is usually at ST1.
Trainees located in Glasgow can easily commute to rotations beyond the city itself. The West of Scotland also offers
a wide variety of city and country activities that would suit many different lifestyles and cultures. There is a good
range of schools and a wide range of housing in this area.
Many of the central hospitals are tertiary referral centres for highly specialised surgery therefore producing a variety of complex resections and interesting pathologies that are not seen elsewhere.
Trainees are closely supervised and their training needs are carefully monitored throughout this 5 year programme. The West of Scotland has many training resources locally and the deanery supports training and educational opportunities outwith the deanery when required especially in run up to exams.
The West also offers great opportunities for trainees to participate in teaching and researchwhich are available through the university academic department. The West has had an excellent pass rate for both part 1 and 2 exams over recent years. Trainees located in Glasgow can easily commute to rotations beyond the city itself.
Histopathology training in the West of Scotland offers the opportunity to experience pathology both within large university teaching departments with subspecialisation and smaller district general hospitals. A full range of subspecialty experience is available in neuropathology, paediatric and perinatal pathology and forensic pathology at Glasgow University's department of forensic medicine. Research opportunities also exist at the newBeatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
Pathology is the "science" of medicine. The pathologist is an essential member of the multidisciplinary team when it comes to patient management. Histopathology is a wide ranging specialty covering Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology and autopsies. The 5 year training programme is relatively short in comparison to other specialties, and has recognised subspecialty training in Paediatric Pathology, Neuropathology and Forensic Medicine if desired.
Providing all the college training guidelines are met, career progression is relatively quick with opportunities to take time out for research if required.
University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Forth Valley Royal Hospital - FVRH, University Hospital Monklands, Airdrie, The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow , University Hospital Wishaw
West of Scotland – placements in Glasgow, Forth Valley, Kilmarnock and Lanarkshire.
Southern General, Glasgow
Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert
Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
Monklands Hospital, Airdrie
Forensic Medicine
| Programme Type | Deanery based or National: Deanery |
| Administration office | West of Scotland |
| Lead Dean / Director | Professor Alan Denison |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP) | Dr Ralph Bouhaidar |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty | Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval | August 2010 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty |
Royal College of Pathologists (web site) |
| Curriculum and Associated Assessment System | https://www.rcpath.org/trainees/training/training-by-specialty/histopathology-2021.html |
| Programme Administrator: |
Named Programme Administrator:
Lynda Service
Address: NHS Education for Scotland, Forest Grove House, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen Tel: 01224 805132 Email: Lynda.Service@nhs.scot |
| Programme Director |
Programme Director Name: Dr Noori Maka Address: Tel: Email: Noori.Maka@ggc.scot.nhs.uk |
| Quality of Training | Quality Management |