First reported 25 Jul 2018•Latest report 17 Oct 2023
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes pathology-service workforce, recruitment, retention, workload, operating-capacity and backlog deficiencies that delay clinically, coronially or forensically required sample analysis or pathology reporting.
Not included
Excludes delays caused solely by specimen collection, labelling, transport or test-ordering failures when pathology-service capacity is not deficient.
Excludes non-pathology diagnostic services, including radiology, unless the assertion explicitly concerns pathology analysis or reporting capacity.
Excludes isolated analytical errors, interpretation failures or equipment outages where insufficient pathology capacity or backlog is not the shared unsafe condition.
Excludes generic hospital or department under-resourcing where its effect on timely pathology analysis or reporting is not identified.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
3
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2018–2023
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
7
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care2
Royal College of Pathologists2
General Medical Council1
Greater Manchester Strategic Health Group1
NHS England1
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust1
Health professional body2
Ministerial department2
Executive non-departmental public body1
Health and care professional regulator1
NHS trust1
Other public body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside
Concerns raised2
Chronic shortage of Paediatric Pathologists
Insufficient time for timely Coronial and Forensic Paediatric Pathology work
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Make registration pathways more flexible and accessible for doctors meeting required standards to join or remain in the UK medical workforce.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Action
Obtain and apply less prescriptive legislation governing evidence requirements for specialist registration applications.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Action
Develop and implement new pathways to the specialist register for suitably qualified doctors without UK-approved training.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Action
Expand facilities and staffing to provide increased capacity for both parts of the PLAB test.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Action
Streamline registration processes through programmes currently underway.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Action
Implement recruitment incentives to attract pathologists into higher specialist training in paediatric and perinatal pathology.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Action
Support learning through e-learning resources for paediatric and perinatal pathology.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 October 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Recruitment and retention of doctors are exclusively matters for the NHS in each UK country, outside the regulator’s direct role.
Stated by General Medical CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
UK governments and NHS bodies set the number of doctors trained in each specialty or subspecialty, not the regulator.
Stated by General Medical CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Backlogs delaying pathology sample analysis
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes pathology-service workforce, recruitment, retention, workload, operating-capacity and backlog deficiencies that delay clinically, coronially or forensically required sample analysis or pathology reporting.
