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Written question asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench) on Monday, 8 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Paediatrics: Pathology

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with the General Medical Council and the Royal College of Pathologists to revise the pathology training pathway in order to rectify the national shortage of paediatric pathologists.

Answer

The Government is fully committed to attracting, training, and recruiting the National Health Service workforce of the future, including paediatric pathologists.

NHS England established a national programme in late 2022 to address paediatric and perinatal pathologist workforce challenges and has undertaken significant work in relation to workforce funding, training, and incentives. This has included making additional funding available to support training posts in areas where there have been interested candidates but no training post available.

NHS England has also appointed a new National Training Programme Director, who has been working with the Lead Postgraduate Dean to influence positive changes to the examination structures in collaboration with the Royal College of Pathologists and the General Medical Council.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL739
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Paediatrics Training Pathology
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk