Consultant Histopathologist

Consultant Cellular Pathology at Royal Devon University Healthcare
Accredited Excellence
Our Department of Cellular Pathology, based within the Devon Trust, is proudly UKAS (ISO15189) accredited. We actively participate in recognized external quality assurance (EQA) schemes for histopathology and cytopathology, ensuring the highest standards in diagnostics and reporting.

Annual Workload

• Histopathology Requests: 12,500 per year
• Non-Gynaecological Cytology Requests: 800 per year

The department handles an extensive range of biopsy and resection specimens, reflecting the demands of a small district general hospital (DGH). Notably, approximately 10% of histopathology requests originate from primary care doctors.

Reporting and Specialization
Our consultant pathologists utilize a flexible generalist reporting system, allowing them to focus on their subspecialist interests while maintaining a broad expertise. Work distribution follows a hybrid pull-push system:

• Specialist/Urgent Work: Pushed to designated consultants
• Non-Urgent Work: Pulled by consultants during reporting sessions.

Multidisciplinary Meetings (MDMs)
Regular MDMs are held for a variety of subspecialties, including:

• Breast, Gynaecology, Urology, Gastrointestinal, Dermatopathology (including inflammatory skin), and Lung

Meetings take place in the purpose-equipped MDT room at the Medical Education Centre or virtually via MS Teams.

Laboratory and Equipment
The department is staffed by skilled biomedical scientists with expertise in:

• Routine diagnostics
• Immunohistochemistry
• Immunofluorescence

Our modern laboratory space has been extensively refurbished and features advanced equipment, including a fluorescence microscope for inflammatory skin cases.

Living and Working in Devon
Outstanding Education
Devon boasts outstanding schools and proximity to two leading universities, making it an excellent choice for families. With highly rated primary and secondary schools and diverse extracurricular opportunities, the region supports a rich educational environment for children of all ages.

Convenient Transport Links
Devon offers excellent connectivity:

• Rail: Fast services from Exeter St David’s to Bristol (1 hour), London Paddington (2 hours), and Birmingham New Street (under 3 hours).
• Air: Exeter International Airport connects you to destinations across the UK, Europe, and North America
• Road: The M5 and branch rail lines provide easy access to Devon’s stunning coastline, Dartmoor, and neighboring regions.

Whether you’re raising young children or supporting teenagers, Devon’s excellent education system and wide range of extracurricular activities provide an enriching environment for growth and learning.