South East England General Histopathology EQA Scheme

The Scheme performs external quality assessment for consultant histopathologists in general histopathological practice and also has an educational element.

UKAS EQA logoPage last updated: 8 May 2026

Features of the Scheme

  • Interpretive EQA scheme
  • 10 scoring cases sent each round
  • 10 different organ systems per round (including one digital only category)
  • 2 educational cases per round (if available)
  • 3 rounds per year
  • Glass slide circulations, but digital images also available
  • Free text answers submitted, reflecting clinical practice
  • Differential diagnoses permitted, reflecting confidence in diagnosis
  • Option of opt-out of organ systems not seen in clinical practice
  • Determination of “correct” answer open to all participants via consultation process, not selective “expert” committee
  • CPD points awarded
  • ISO17043:2023 accredited, fulfilling ISO15189:2022 clause 5.6.3.1. 
  • Approved RCPath EQA interpretive scheme
  • Participation restricted to GMC registered histopathologists so that expertise is not diluted.

If you are interested in joining the scheme, which is hosted by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, please contact the EQA office on the email below.

Contacts

EQA Scheme Management Office Cellular Pathology, Maidstone Hospital, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9QQ

  • Telephone: 01622 225738
  • Email:  mtw-tr.EQA@nhs.net
  • Organiser: Dr Nipin Bagla
  • Manager: Mrs Gill Donald
  • Administrator: Mrs Louise Knowler
  • Quality Manager: Mrs Haley Williams

The scheme advisory panel includes representatives for each region who meet to discuss scheme issues. Please contact them with any suggestions for improvement to the scheme or other issues.

Overview

The South East England General Histopathology EQA Scheme is a consensus based External Quality Assessment scheme approved by the Royal College of Pathologists based on the guidance “Principles and Guidance for Interpretive External Quality Assessment Schemes in Laboratory Medicine” RCPath 2017 (G153),  and accredited to ISO17043:2023 .

The Scheme performs External Quality Assessment for Consultant Histopathologists in General Histopathological practice and also has an educational element.

Three times each year, ten cases are circulated that are representative of a routine workload together with two slightly more difficult/unusual cases of educational value which are not scored.

Participation is open to any consultant pathologist or Associate Specialist in Essex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, South London or Wales but consideration will be given to applicants outside the area on a case by case basis, including overseas.

Long-term locum pathologists are also able to participate, subject to the payment of the current subscription rate.

How does the scheme work?

There are three circulations each year beginning January, May and September.

Laboratories are arranged into groups with an order of circulation within each group. Ten cases are circulated representative of a typical diagnostic workload. These cases are contributed from participants working in UKAS 15189:2022 accredited laboratories.

Two cases are also circulated that are more unusual and are for educational purposes only. These cases are clearly identified and are not used for personal analysis.

How the scoring works

Each submitted diagnosis for a case is scored based on the percentage of respondents offering the same diagnosis.

This is refined at the consultation stage, where suggestions for merging synonym diagnoses are sought. It is important you participate in the consultation process.

Personal scores are based on the submitted confidence level for the proffered diagnosis. A perfect score is only achievable if 10 points were allocated to a single (correct) diagnosis.

For further detail, see the EQA scoring protocol presentation [pptx] 721KB

Please switch to Google Chrome if you experience any problems downloading resources.

Current round: Slide images, circulation lists and response forms

  • Earn 2 CPD points for answering the general cases
  • Earn 1 CPD point for answering both educational cases
  • Earn 1 CPD point for completion of the case consultation
  • Earn 1 CPD point for attendance to the case discussion meeting
  • Earn 1 CPD point for attendance to the Annual General meeting

Please take care of the slides while in your care, ensuring they are not marked with anything, are kept out of direct sunlight and labels are not removed.

Should you have any problems with the slides when they arrive, or while they are with you, please call the EQA office straight away.

Round dd has closed and results and CPD certificates have been issued in EQA Lite.

Please switch to using Google Chrome if you experience any problems downloading resources.

Round ee opened on Tuesday 5 May 2026

Responses for circulation ee must be made on EQALite. 

Participation

Your ID is the email you registered with. If you have forgotten your password, click “reminder” to receive an email with your password.

Instructions for adding responses are in the EQALite participant manual [pdf] 644KB

Registration

If you have never registered with EQA Lite before, see page 3 of the registration instructions in  EQALite instructions for participants [pdf] 480KB.

If you are already registered with other schemes on EQA Lite, see page 1 in the EQALite instructions for participants [pdf] 480KB to add SE England to your current schemes list.

Circulation lists

Cases

Previous rounds

Please switch to Google Chrome if you experience any problems downloading files.

Links to the slides are in the case analyses documents.

Earn more CPD points

Share your clinical cases and earn CPD points

  • For each submitted case, you will earn one CPD point.
  • By sharing your clinical cases, you contribute to the collective knowledge base of our professional community.
  • Please submit 12 duplicate H&E slides per case or 1 H&E for digital miscellaneous category cases.
  • New cases can now be submitted via EQA Lite  [See Section 2.1 of the  EQALite participant manual [pdf] 644KB for guidance] or via the General EQA Scheme case submission form [doc] 189KB

Join case discussion meetings

  • Virtual lunchtime case discussion meetings offer the opportunity to engage with fellow professionals.
  • During these meetings, we discuss the results of the consultation process for each round, allowing you to understand the reasons behind merging, excluding, or overriding cases.
  • This enhances your understanding of the scoring process and empowers you to improve your response to cases.

Each meeting concludes with an educational presentation by a guest speaker, featuring topics like cancer of unknown origin, providing valuable insights to enhance your clinical expertise.

One CPD point is awarded for attendance to the meeting.

Additional CPD points for SAP meeting attendance

Become a representative for your region in the Scheme Advisory Panel (SAP). By attending SAP meetings, you can network with colleagues, earn 1 CPD point, stay informed about the latest scheme advancements, share insights, and contribute to the growth of our scheme.

We will inform you of any opportunities when a vacancy becomes available.

Attend our AGM

Join us for our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members come together to review the year’s achievements, discuss strategic initiatives, and shape the future direction of our organisation. This important gathering provides insights into organisational developments and offers networking opportunities with colleagues across the field.

1 CPD point is awarded for attendance at the meeting.

Join our community of clinicians and take advantage of opportunities to further your professional development.

Meetings

AGM minutes

 

Complaints

We aim to run this scheme to your complete satisfaction. If you have a concern, please email mtw-tr.EQA@nhs.net in the first instance.

If this does not resolve your issue and you wish to make a formal complaint, this will handled in compliance with the trust complaints policy and procedure.

EQA scheme complaint flowchart [pdf] 150KB

Surveys