Chemical Pathology

Welcome to the Guy’s and St Thomas’ for Kings Health Partners Chemical Pathology specialty training programme.

Chemical pathology is a branch of medicine which involves understanding the biochemical basis of disease and the application of this understanding to:

  • development of novel biochemical tests
  • interpretation of the utility of novel and existing biochemical tests in screening, diagnosis, monitoring of disease.

It is traditionally a predominantly laboratory based speciality, where the Chemical Pathologist provided clinical leadership for the laboratory and clinical liaison/support for colleagues from other clinical specialities. Whilst this continues to be the case, most Chemical Pathologists are now dually accredited in Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine.

Metabolic medicine is the clinical arm of the speciality, and involves direct clinical care of patients with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, special nutritional needs, metabolic bone disease, renal stones and inherited metabolic diseases.

GetAttachment.aspxChemical pathology and metabolic medicine trainees will have exposure to and gain competence in the management of all of these disease domains during the course of their training. In addition, towards the end of their training they will be expected to have specialist knowledge in one or two of the disease groups, for which they will then be expected to offer clinical services in their future role as a Consultant in Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine.

The training program for Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine is managed jointly by the Royal College of Pathologists and Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board. Recruitment is at ST3 level through the common National recruitment program and MRCP (minimum MRCP Part1) is an essential entry criteria.

In addition to clinical expertise mentioned above, trainees will be expected to gain an in depth understanding of the organisational/management structure of laboratory and the operating procedures/analytical techniques used within it. Trainees are expected to obtain full Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (through examination) by the end of the penultimate year of training. Please see https://www.rcpath.org/training-education/specialty-training/chemical-pathology.html for further details on Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine curriculum.

The analytical (data analysis) aspects of the speciality enable trainees to develop expertise in statistics, a skill highly valued by other clinical colleagues. There is plenty of scope for basic science and in particular translational research both during training and career as a Chemical Pathologist. Many trainees take time out of program to gain a higher degree.
Consultant Chemical Pathologists often have significant management responsibilities within the laboratory. In recognition of this, the training program includes formal laboratory management training.

Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust and King’s College Hospital is a recognised training centre with ability to offer clinical specialist training in all of the disease domains mentioned above. We have four Consultants in Metabolic Medicine (Chemical Pathology).

Pathology services at GSTT are offered by Viapath, a public–private partnership between Serco PLC, GSTT, King’s College Hospital and Bedford Hospital. In addition to fully automated routine blood sciences laboratories in all four sites, smaller laboratories across all 4 sites offer national/regional services for a number of highly specialised tests. We are one of only two centres in London offering a comprehensive service for inherited metabolic diseases (laboratory, paediatric clinical and adult clinical – and the only one offering all three services on the same site). As a result, Chemical Pathology trainees are able to gain expertise in all laboratory aspects listed in the curriculum without the need to rotate out of King’s Health Partners. For further information please visit https://www.viapath.co.uk/

Trainees on our programme:
  • Deliver high quality patient focused clinical care
  • Gain speciality and general clinical skills
  • Develop skills in a wide range of professional development opportunities
  • Gain an insight into the strategic vision of the NHS and how their work impacts its outcomes
  • Have opportunities for medical and clinical training in multi-professional training environments, balanced by adequate guidance from supervisors.

Chemical Pathology has a number of locations and rotations which allow for the development of research interests, higher degrees, teaching qualifications, and development of leadership, organisational and other skills relevant to the specialty. To apply please visit the London Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education website.

The rotation includes the following:

  • Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT)
  • King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCH)
  • St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust (STG)
Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact the Lead Provider team at [email protected]

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