Royal College of Pathologists

Royal College Of Pathologists

The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology. The College received its Royal Charter in 1970 and its Patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The College is a professional membership organisation committed to setting and maintaining professional standards and to promoting excellence in the practice of pathology. It is a registered charity and is not a trades union. Its 10,000 members work in hospital laboratories, universities and industry worldwide.

The College's mission is to promote excellence in the practice of pathology and to be responsible for maintaining standards through training, assessments, examinations and professional development, to the benefit of the public.

Pathologists study the causes of disease and the ways in which disease processes affect our bodies. Recognising the patterns that disease takes allows us to understand what's at the root of a problem, enabling accurate diagnosis. Following up this understanding helps treatments to be devised and preventative measures to be put in place.

Pathology is a relatively young science. The first pathologists dealt with all areas of the subject, but rapid advances quickly meant that pathologists too became specialists.