RCPA focuses on Australia’s response to COVID-19 on International Pathology Day 2020
This year, International Pathology Day (IPD) took place on 11 November. To celebrate, the RCPA held an online event examining the efforts of the pathology profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by the ABC’s Sophie Scott, the event welcomed five pathologists at the forefront of Australia’s response to the pandemic who discussed: the importance of research and diagnostic integration; assessment of new test kits; prevention of virus spread; managing the pandemic in remote and rural communities; and clinical trials for vaccinations, including predictions for 2021. A new video was also launched, highlighting pathology’s pivotal role in managing the pandemic.
RCPA Fellows, Prof Deborah Williamson, Clinical Microbiologist and Deputy Director of the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory (MDU PHL); Prof Bill Rawlinson AM, Senior Medical Virologist and the Director of Virology at South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Health Service; Prof Peter Collignon AM, Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist at Canberra Hospital and Professor of Australian National University Medical School, discussed the successful public health response to the virus, the importance of research and diagnostic integration, and infection control.
During her presentation, Prof Williamson said,
“COVID-19 is a global public health emergency which has not been witnessed on this scale before in living memory. Diagnostic testing has been the nerve centre of the public health response to this crisis and the fundamental fact is that, without a test result, there is simply no public health action. We have faced a number of challenges during the pandemic, including swab and reagent shortages, workforce capacity and capability and how we report the tests. However, one of the greatest challenges we have faced as pathologists has been evaluating and responding to the wide range of testing modalities that have become available. We have therefore had to provide a rapid, informed response to these tests to ensure they are appropriate for the Australian and New Zealand populations.”
“The success we have had is largely due to the fact we have been able to build on decades of established links, rigorous systems in laboratories, excellent quality assurance, a formal network of laboratories, but also an informal collegial network of pathologists in Australia and New Zealand working together.”
A/Prof Rob Baird, Director of Pathology, Infectious Diseases Physician, Royal Darwin Hospital discussed how rural and remote communities in Australia have worked to protect their vulnerable Aboriginal populations, whilst A/Prof Paul Griffin Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist and Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services Brisbane gave the audience an update on vaccine research in Australia.
Commenting on Australia’s involvement in developing a vaccine, Prof Paul Griffin said,
“Out of 38 phase 1 vaccine trials, six of those have been carried out here in Australia which shows that, in addition to our excellent testing response, our research capability in terms of clinical trials has been really fantastic. To have contributed over 10% of all phase one trials globally is an amazing achievement and a good indication of the quality of research in this country.
“This pandemic has highlighted the efficiency at which we can do things, even with limited resources. Information sharing, cooperation, collaboration and being focused on a common goal are all factors which I believe have been key to managing this pandemic. Moving forward, pathology will remain essential in the development of a vaccine and will be key in monitoring safety and efficacy.”
During the event, Doctor Michael Dray, President of the RCPA, said:
“We were delighted by the large number of people that attended this online event and it has been an honour to listen to such high calibre speakers. Pathology often takes place behind the scenes, and never before has pathology testing made such a visible contribution to the wellbeing of the community as it has now, during COVID-19.
“An effective public health response requires information gained from pathology testing to support decision-making in every setting. Through high levels of quality pathology testing, we have been able to locate the virus and protect our communities, particularly the most vulnerable, and this will continue to keep us safe.”
