About us

President's article

For those readers who don’t know me I should start by introducing myself, as I take up the inaugural presidency of the BAC.

I am a consultant cytopathologist at North Bristol NHS Trust, working in gynae and non-gynae cytology (and some histology too). I am the regional QA director for cervical screening, and also director of the South West cytology training centre. I have previously held various offices for the BSCC, including being the last chairman, and I’ve held college posts too.

In my final chairman’s report for the BSCC I expressed the wish that I could have reported on a whole range of activities and achievements, but in fact my whole term was occupied by working towards only one very important goal, the merger of the BSCC and the NAC.

The BAC is a new association, and a huge opportunity for all professional groups in cytology to work together. We have a new executive, several of whom who will be contributing to this publication; there is much to do.

Perhaps minds will be drawn to cervical screening, and the various changes which are being implemented in all the British screening programmes. These changes are certainly challenges as well as opportunities and responding, advising, coordinating and contributing to implementation will be key tasks for the association.

But the challenges facing diagnostic cytology are also a key area for the association. Here too there is a new world emerging as we move into molecular diagnostics and face the challenges of training, developing relationships with bodies representing clinicians, and ensuring patients are able to benefit from the advantages of this technique.

Overall there is a lot to do, and I am very honoured to have been elected as president of the BAC. I hope to contribute to the great things I am sure the association will achieve.

Karin Denton

Chairman's article

Following the first meeting of the British Association for Cytopathology Executive on 19th August, I would like to take this opportunity to feedback from this meeting and to share my vision for our new Association.

I would like to say what an honour it is to be elected as the first chair of the BAC. I began my training in Glasgow Royal Infirmary 35 years ago as a “junior B MLSO” at the tender age of 17 and I could never have envisaged that I would chair an organisation such as the BAC and be writing this article in SCAN. I will try hard to live up to this honour.

I have no illusions about the challenges facing both gynae and non-gynae cytology but I feel we have the right people within our executive to face these challenges and the positive vibes from our first meeting has reinforced this impression. However, we need your support to achieve our aims. You can expect several requests for information over the next six months as it is vital that we gather baseline data on the current state of cytology. This will allow us to identify and prioritise the issues facing our profession.

There is no doubt that the success of the UK screening programmes is based on standardisation of practices across the country, a well developed QA structure and highly trained, dedicated staff. We should all be extremely proud of our contribution to the decline in deaths from cervical cancer. Despite the introduction of HPV testing into the screening programmes, cervical cytology will still have a strong role in ensuring further declines in both incidence and deaths from cervical cancer.

In contrast, however, non-gynae cytology has few controls and very little QA. The BAC hopes to rectify this by gathering and analysing data on non-gynae practice. I suspect no two labs are the same in this field! The BAC Executive will help promote the use, standards and acceptance of NG cytology in a modern health care setting. We may need to work closely with other organisations to achieve this aim.

Centralisation of cervical cytology laboratories has led to a “separation” of gynae and non-gynae cytology in some areas and this may lead to a further fragmentation of services. The introduction of HPV testing into the screening programmes has led to uncertainty for many cytology staff. My aim is to regularly update all members on progress on the various HPV workstreams and how it may impact on the UK screening programmes.

The combined membership of the NAC and BSCC is over 700. We hope that everyone completes their renewal forms to ensure that the BAC membership matches this figure. This will produce the largest ever UK based organisation representing cytology professionals. High membership rates and a single organisation representing cytology will give us a powerful political voice as we face a period of unprecedented change.

Mergers are never easy (just ask Messrs Cameron and Clegg!) but the goodwill and desire to work together for the good of our profession that was demonstrated by the NAC&BSCC merger group bodes well for the future. We must work together as a unified body for the future of the service we all deliver.

We have limited resources but we must focus on the pressing issues we face and communicate clearly at every stage.

Communications will be vital to the success of our fledgling Association and one of our first steps will be to establish an email distribution list for all members. You will be asked to update your contact details and email addresses will then become our main means of communication. Engagement with members is one of our highest priorities but engagement is a two way process. The success of the BAC will depend on members engaging with the BAC executive and the local and national changes impacting on the delivery of cytology services both gynae and non-gynae.

Allan Wilson

Aims and objectives

The British Association for Cytopathology (BAC) was formed in 2011 following the merger of the British Society for Clinical Cytology (BSCC) and the National Association of Cytologists (NAC).

The aims and objectives of the Association are:

To encourage the science and art of Cytopathology by encouraging higher standards in Cytopathology for the benefit of the public
To encourage research in Cytopathology and related fields and the publication of useful results

BAC Executive Committee

Photo of BAC Executive Committee from their meeting Autumn 2011

BAC Executive Committee 2011 (PDF)

Constitution and rules

BAC constitution (PDF)
BAC subcommittee structure (PDF)
BAC terms of reference (PDF)
BAC research & development group (PDF)
BAC publication/website subcommittee (PDF)

SCAN

SCAN is the BAC magazine, intended for anyone with a role in or an interest in cytology. It is published every six months. The articles in the most recent edition (October 2011) were (and add the index from this edition) Both SCAN and Cytopathology (link to Wiley site) are free to all members of the BAC.

SCAN October 2011 contents (PDF)

BAC subgroups

The BAC has formed a series of subgroups to help identify and lead on the various areas that impact on cytology. The sub-groups and terms of reference are shown below.

Influence

The BAC is the voice for cytology on numerous stakeholder professional groups. This list is not exhaustive but includes: the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, the Department of Health, Royal College of Pathologists, Institute of Biomedical Science, European Federation of Cytology Societies and worldwide through the International Academy of Cytology.

Communication with other bodies occurs primarily through the elected Executive. If there are any issues of importance that you feel the BAC should address, please address your views to the Honorary Secretary.

Publications

Members receive the acclaimed scientific journal Cytopathology, the official publication of the BAC. The Journal reflects the interest of cytopathologists and cytotechnologists, containing original articles and critical reviews on all aspects of gynaecological and non-gynaecological cytology including, fine needle aspiration and screening strategy. The journal is available on-line and members are also sent the SCAN magazine. SCAN is a non-peer reviewed publication which contains educational articles; journal based learning for the non-medical continuing education scheme, information on national and international developments in cytology and is a less formal means of communication between the membership and the Association.

How to join

Membership is open to anyone in the field of Cytopathology or related areas, interested in assisting the BAC in achieving its aims and willing to adhere to the rules of the Association. Application can be sent via the Royal Mail by downloading the PDF of the application form and posting it to Mr Christian Burt at the BAC address at Coldbath Square.

Please direct any enquires to Christian Burt, the BAC Administrator, on +44 (0) 20 7278 6907 or at mail@britishcytology.org.uk. He will be able to forward your enquiry to the relevant officer or member of the BAC Council if necessary.

BAC application form (PDF)
BAC direct debit mandate (PDF)

The history of the society

History of the BSCC
History of the NAC

Affiliated societies

Convenor Of Representatives
Cytology Society Of The North Of England & North Wales
Cytology Society Of The South West And South Wales
Irish Society For Clinical Cytology
Midland Cytology Society
North East Metropolitan & East Anglian Cytology Society
North Eastern Cytology Society
Scottish Association For Clinical Cytology
South East Regional Society For Clinical Cytology
Southern Cytology Society
Thames Valley Cytology Society

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