What areas of Pathology do you specialise in? Are you able to focus on your preferred specialities at
UHS?
I applied for this position stating that my special interests were thoracic, gynaecological and
molecular pathology, and these were exactly the specialties which the clinical lead team put into my
job plan. The method of workload distribution means that the balance of work between my specialties
is approximately as per my job plan. I have dedicated time in my job plan for molecular pathology.
Are they chances to progress and develop you skills?
• While at UHS, I have been supported in taking on an extra role as Pathology Lead for the Central
and South GLH. This has involved having to shift work around to be able to attend fairly frequent
meetings outside the region; my colleagues have without exception been incredibly supportive
and understanding in adjusting rotas to allow me to do this. Everybody in the department has their
own special interests, and there really is a sense that we all owe it to our colleagues to make
reasonable adjustments to facilitate those interests.
What are the facilities like within the Pathology department?
• I have my own office and a new microscope was ordered for me when I arrived in the department.
All consultant PCs have recently been replaced and we now have all the kit needed to start
reporting digitally. I have also been provided with extra equipment to allow us some degree of
home working in the future.
Have you been given the opportunity to provide teaching?
• There are many opportunities for teaching. There is a regular black box session with the trainees, as
well as autopsy and molecular forum for trainees to discuss interesting cases with consultants.
Most of us also participate in the regional teaching programme. Aside from that, on a roughly
monthly basis I provide teaching to scientific or clinical colleagues. Being at a large centre with a
reputation for being able to provide extensive testing has also meant that I have been invited to
provide regular teaching and training for industry. There are also plentiful opportunities to provide
teaching for undergraduates but, frankly, there has been so much opportunity for teaching
elsewhere that I haven't even looked into this yet!