Media Releases

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) is urging the wider community to follow the Government’s guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic, which is based on the latest and best advice from medical experts. The official Government advice includes the necessary precautions required to protect all individuals, including those who are particularly vulnerable to the virus. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) is the key decision-making committee for health emergencies related to infection diseases and has the direct role of advising the Government about COVID-19. It is comprised of all state and territory Chief Health Officers and is chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer.

Pathology Update 2020 
 
Dear Fellows, Trainees and Pathology Update Delegates
 
Following significant consideration, the RCPA Board of Directors has decided to cancel Pathology Update 2020 in its entirety.
 
We have made significant attempts to arrange a virtual conference as an alternative to the onsite meeting. However, given the growing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and in considering the health and safety of all, a virtual conference is no longer feasible. 
 
Invited international speakers will still pre-record their lectures, and these will be uploaded to the RCPA website as soon as possible. We will notify all Fellows, Trainees and Delegates when these are available.  
 
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Pathology Update 2020 Overseeing Committee along with the Pathology Update Scientific Program Committee Chairs and Members over the last 18 months. Furthermore, I wish to thank Eve Propper and Rachel Johnson of the RCPA Events Team. There is significant time and planning involved in organising Pathology Update every year, but the dedication Eve and Rachel over the last few weeks, given these unprecedented circumstances, has not gone unnoticed. We extend our thanks to you both.
 
A refund can be arranged on request. Please email davidz@rcpa.edu.au to organise. Please be patient while we process this for you. 
 
 
RCPA Examinations 
 
RCPA Examinations will be deferred until the fourth quarter of 2020.  
 
We are aware of the increasing professional and personal demands on our Trainees and Examiners during this time. We will continue to update Trainees and Examiners as we finalise alternate scheduling. All training time will continue to be accredited as usual. 
 
The virtual Meet the Chief Examiner Sessions will be rescheduled. The sessions will be recorded and details will be provided in due course.
For an update on Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
 
Finally, thank you for your kind words of support during this challenging time. 
 
 
Regards
 
 
Dr Michael Dray
President

Dear Pathology Update 2020 Delegates, Exhibitor and Sponsors,
 
We wish to advise that Pathology Update is proceeding as scheduled next week, on-site at the International Convention Centre, Sydney from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 March 2020.  This decision is consistent with the current Government advice to continue with public events via the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC advice). Should this advice change we will of course do what is appropriate.
 
We would like to remind attendees that as per Department of Health advice(Department of Health COVID-19) that they should not attend if they have recently returned from an affected country, if they are feeling or become unwell with cough, fever or other respiratory symptoms. Likewise we ask attendees to respect the various guidance about shaking hands, close contact, sneeze etiquette etc. 
 
We recognise there are evolving travel restrictions placed on some delegates. In light of this, we would like to announce that Pathology Update 2020 will now include live-streaming of sessions in conjunction with the on-site meeting. Live-streaming will be available in real-time as per the Pathology Update 2020 program. 
 
Distribution of the technical information regarding accessing your live-stream will occur via email over the coming days. These sessions will not be recorded.
 
A number our key international speakers are unable to attend in-person to present at Pathology Update due to employer imposed international travel restrictions. Those unable to attend in person are: Drs William Clarke, Jeffrey Myers, Liron Pantanowitz, Bobbi Pritt, Rhonda Yantiss and GinaZini. Alternative audio-visual solutions are in the process of being organised to enable these speakers to deliver their talks remotely.
 
We would like to thank our exhibitors and sponsors for their ongoing support of Pathology Update during this challenging time.

We look forward to seeing you at Pathology Update 2020.
 
Regards

Dr Michael Dray
President
president@rcpa.edu.au
debrag@rcpa.edu.au
helenf@rcpa.edu.au

 

COVID-19

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia has received enquiries from Fellows in relation to COVID-19.

We are aware the number of COVID-19 cases continues to escalate around the world and has impacted a number of Australians, New Zealanders and those within the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia’s (RCPA) other regions, including Hong Kong.

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), the leading organisation representing
pathologists in Australasia, has appointed Dr Michael Dray as the new President. Previously, Dr Dray
held the position of Vice President of the RCPA for two years and prior to that, was Vice President of
the RCPA in New Zealand for five years.