A welcome from Pathology in Practice's new editor...
This week sees the publication of the October issue of Pathology in Practice – and a landmark one for the journal as it’s my first, having fully settled into the editor’s seat. I’m joining PiP and Step Communications at a great time, with both the magazine and pathology sector in good health. This additional appointment comes with the aim of reinforcing and continuing the strength of PiP as we are now emerging into the post-COVID world and establishing what the ‘new normal’ actually means.
I say ‘additional’ appointment as I’m pleased to say that Brian Nation is still very much part of the PiP family, with the new title of Science Editor. While he is stepping away from the day-to-day running of the title, he will still be involved – which is a great relief to me as I gradually learn the ins and outs of the pathology and laboratory sphere! Brian’s are big shoes to fill and the combination of his knowledge and experience has seen PiP grow and expand over recent years; I’m very pleased that I’ll be able to draw on both for some time to come as I use my own publishing experience to keep the magazine on an upward trajectory.
One of the ways I’ll be aiming to learn as much as I can is by getting out there and meeting and talking to as many of you as possible, something I’ve already been able to do at the BSMT annual meeting, and more recently at the first post-COVID POCT Innovators event. It’s clear point-of-care testing will be an important area for health services going forward and the POCT event was able to bring together a pleasingly diverse panel of speakers keen to talk about their involvement. Even more positive was the post-talk discussion during which the very engaged audience was keen to share their own experiences and thoughts on the subjects discussed. It was obvious that developing technologies are able to offer improved outcomes to patients as they become faster and easier to carry out; and with the public accepting of these tests there is lots of potential to unlock. But as the day’s first speaker, IBMS Chief Executive David Wells pointed out when making suggestions for future POCT policy, these tests still need to sit within the pathology sphere and it is up to the NHS and other health providers to ensure they are being adopted and carried out in the most suitable way.
