A digital revolution at RCPI Faculty of Pathology’s Spring Symposium
The current era of pathology continues to be transformed by digital solutions, as the specialty’s role in precision medicine increases in importance, the RCPI Faculty of Pathology’s Spring Symposium has heard.
At the beginning of the two-day event held on 13-14 February, the Faculty dean Prof Mary Keogan and Faculty convenor Prof Seán Hayes introduced the symposium theme “Pathology 2.0: Advancing Laboratory Medicine,” promising insightful reports on biobanks and information systems, while also looking at the possible role of Artificial Intelligence in a future era for the specialty.
The morning session on Day 1 began with a presentation by Dr Emily Vereker from the National Office for Research Ethics Committees, focusing on an ethics review carried out on a new national COVID-19 biobank collecting samples from nearly 20 sites. “One of the key learnings was that it was the first ethics review of a national biobank infrastructure,” said Dr Vereker, who said a major consideration from the review was how to establish a future-proofed consenting process. Prof Ellie Dow, a consultant in biochemical medicine, presented on the automated intelligent Liver-Function Testing (iLFT) pathway piloted in NHS Tayside Dundee in 2015, and now live in primary care centres since 2018. The pathway, allowing GPs to order liver function tests and receive reports, has led to an over 40% increase in liver diagnoses and has reduced ultrasound requirements.
On the subject of integrating Artificial Intelligence into testing pathways, Prof Dow projected that the technology could interrogate 1.5bn test results at a saving of £17bn over five years, but the validation of machine learning, while working with hospital IT systems inadequate for interfacing, could take years. “We are a very long way away if Laboratory 3.0 is going to be AI,” she said.
Prof Martin Cormican, Clinical Lead for the Laboratory Services Reform Programme, and Consultant Microbiologist at University Hospital Galway, presented on the Laboratory Services Reform Programme’s strategy for a new network of clinical laboratory services in the next decade. The strategy document has several recommendations including the extension of phlebotomy services and housing of laboratories in permanent buildings. “One thing that motivated me was creeping privatization, and that there wouldn’t be a publicly-owned laboratory service. Pathology is a Clinical Service” he said. Prof Richard Greene, Chief Clinical Information Officer for the HSE’s Digital for Care 2030 Strategy, gave an update on improved healthcare access, with virtual wards launched at University Hospital Limerick and St Vincent’s University Hospital, and the development of the new HSE app that will provide new, summarised digital health records for patients.
A keynote presentation by Prof Jackie James, Director of Northern Ireland Biobank Belfast, told the story of that biorepository, first opened in 2010 to store cancer tests but since extended to store tests for respiratory and neurological diseases. Formed in partnership between Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts, the biobank has received over £6m funding in 14 years, and has brought £40k to the university. “It took four years before we got anyone to give us any money. You need a champion,” said Prof James. Future plans include a building based in Titanic Quarter to house experts working in research and data.
The second half of Day 1 began with Dr Manisha Ahuja (specialist registrar in Immunology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals) presenting on Trainee networks in the UK. RCPI Trainees Dr Darrell Martin (Higher Specialist Training in Histopathology) and Dr Katie Ridge (Higher Specialist Training in Immunology) shared their experiences doing Fellowships. In a second keynote presentation, the President of the Royal College of Pathologists UK, Prof Bernie Croal, discussed the future of pathology education and assessment.
Rapid-fire presentations were delivered by Mr Turlough Heffernan (RCSI Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics student), Dr Corey Commins (Senior House Officer, Cork University Hospital), Dr Grainne O'Keeffe (Histopathology department, Cork University Hospital), Dr Fearghus Kelly (Higher Specialist Training in Histopathology Trainee), and Dr Maeve Leonard (Higher Specialist Training in Clinical Microbiology Trainee).
An awards presentation brought Day 1 of the symposium to a close. Immunologist Dr Fionnuala Cox was awarded the John Kennedy Medal, and the John O’Dowd Medal was awarded to Dr Sarah Kenny (Higher Specialist Training in Clinical Microbiology Trainee).
Following the Faculty AGM, the first session on Day 2 featured important updates. Dr Cynthia Heffron (faculty director of training and education) gave an overview of the current state of pathology training, and how Trainee feedback has been used to drive initiatives in RCPI. Of all feedback received, 15.9% of feedback was from pathology Trainees, with 100% recommendation of the college’s Basic Specialist Training and Higher Specialist Training programmes. Mr Thomas Walsh, Laboratory Programme Manager for the HSE’s Technology & Transformation Office, gave an update on the new laboratory information system MedLIS, which launched in Beaumont Hospital before being deployed nationally in coming years. At that hospital, 95% of GP orders are now being done electronically via MedLIS, with registration time per one basket of samples reduced from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.
In an update from National Cancer Registry Ireland, the registry’s director Prof Deirdre Murray sought to shine a light on pathologists’ contribution. “I’m hoping to show the health impact of the work you do,” she said, showing data on registrations from pathology labs. Between 2011-2021, lung cancer rates were seen to fall closer to the European average. “We’ve the fastest falling morality rate in Europe, after Luxembourg and Malta,” said Prof Murray.
Day 2 of the symposium featured a “satellite symposium” focused on eliminating cervical cancer. Dr Judi Lynch (Consultant Microbiologist, The Coombe Hospital) gave an update on HPV in cervical screening, and Dr Corrina Wright (Clinical Director of the National Cervical Screening Laboratory) discussed new developments in cervical cytology. Dr Niamh Conlon (Consultant Histopathologist, Cork University Hospital) presented on the pathology of non-HPV associated cervical cancer, and Prof Noirin Russell (Consultant Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Cork University Hospital) looked at the role of laboratory medicine in elimination of cervical cancer.
Find out more about RCPI Faculty of Pathology.