Pathology Conference ISSP2026
09 and 10 October 2026
Salthill Hotel, Galway, Ireland
DRAFT PROGRAM
Friday 09 October 2026
09:00 Registration, coffee, croissants.
09:15 Welcome
Session 1
09:30 Utopia or Dystopia? Pathology training without an exit exam, the Netherlands model
Marijke van Dijk, Utrecht, Netherlands.
10:00 Mimics of Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease: Infection, immunodeficiency, ischaemia and iatrogenic disease
Shaun Walsh, Dundee.
10:30 Spitzoid melanocytic lesions
Eduardo Calonje, London.
11:00 Coffee, exhibitors, posters
Session 2
11:30 From microscope to bedside: Establishing a pathology led clinic
Laura Aalto, Galway
Danielle Costigan, Dublin
11:50 How a service model supported by specialist medical scientists helped address inequity of access to specialist perinatal pathology services
Brendan Fitzgerald, Cork
12:10 DIY IT & AI – Diagnosis, SNOMED coding, workload points, education...
Fred Mayall, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
12:35 Pathologists in leadership roles
Dermot Hughes, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
1:00 LUNCH
Session 3 - open to all trainee histopathologists - see abstract instructions for more information
2:00 Trainee oral presentations
3:30 Coffee, exhibitors, posters
Session 4 - open to all trainee histopathologists - see abstract instructions for more information
4:00 Trainee oral presentations
5:30 AGM
7:00 Networking event for trainees and consultants
7:45 Drinks reception followed by Gala Dinner (Dress code: smart casual)
Saturday 10 October 2026
Session 5 Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumours
Sponsored by the British Division of the International Academy of Pathology
09:30 Thyroid tumours
Ronald de Krijger, UMC Utrecht, Netherlands.
10:00 Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours
Nils 't Hart. Department of Pathology, Isala Klinieken, Zwolle, Netherlands.
10:30 Gastro-intestinal neuroendocrine tumours
Anne Hoorens, Ghent University, Belgium.
11:00 Coffee, exhibitors, posters
Session 6
11:30 Neuropathology histology at autopsy for the general histopathologist
Michael Farrell, Dublin.
12:00 Cervical Screening Histology in the Era of HPV testing
Síne Phelan, Galway.
12:30 The benefits of AI-powered digital uropathology
Elizabeth Astall, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.
1:00 LUNCH
2:00 CLOSE
9 CPD credits (Approved by The Royal College of Pathologists)
09 and 10 October 2026
Salthill Hotel, Galway, Ireland
DRAFT PROGRAM
Friday 09 October 2026
09:00 Registration, coffee, croissants.
09:15 Welcome
Session 1
09:30 Utopia or Dystopia? Pathology training without an exit exam, the Netherlands model
Marijke van Dijk, Utrecht, Netherlands.
10:00 Mimics of Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease: Infection, immunodeficiency, ischaemia and iatrogenic disease
Shaun Walsh, Dundee.
10:30 Spitzoid melanocytic lesions
Eduardo Calonje, London.
11:00 Coffee, exhibitors, posters
Session 2
11:30 From microscope to bedside: Establishing a pathology led clinic
Laura Aalto, Galway
Danielle Costigan, Dublin
11:50 How a service model supported by specialist medical scientists helped address inequity of access to specialist perinatal pathology services
Brendan Fitzgerald, Cork
12:10 DIY IT & AI – Diagnosis, SNOMED coding, workload points, education...
Fred Mayall, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
12:35 Pathologists in leadership roles
Dermot Hughes, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
1:00 LUNCH
Session 3 - open to all trainee histopathologists - see abstract instructions for more information
2:00 Trainee oral presentations
3:30 Coffee, exhibitors, posters
Session 4 - open to all trainee histopathologists - see abstract instructions for more information
4:00 Trainee oral presentations
5:30 AGM
7:00 Networking event for trainees and consultants
7:45 Drinks reception followed by Gala Dinner (Dress code: smart casual)
Saturday 10 October 2026
Session 5 Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumours
Sponsored by the British Division of the International Academy of Pathology
09:30 Thyroid tumours
Ronald de Krijger, UMC Utrecht, Netherlands.
10:00 Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours
Nils 't Hart. Department of Pathology, Isala Klinieken, Zwolle, Netherlands.
10:30 Gastro-intestinal neuroendocrine tumours
Anne Hoorens, Ghent University, Belgium.
11:00 Coffee, exhibitors, posters
Session 6
11:30 Neuropathology histology at autopsy for the general histopathologist
Michael Farrell, Dublin.
12:00 Cervical Screening Histology in the Era of HPV testing
Síne Phelan, Galway.
12:30 The benefits of AI-powered digital uropathology
Elizabeth Astall, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.
1:00 LUNCH
2:00 CLOSE
9 CPD credits (Approved by The Royal College of Pathologists)
Attending Manchester Pathology 2026 in June and presenting my poster was a really enjoyable and worthwhile experience. As a junior Histopathology SHO in Cork, it was my first opportunity to present my work at a meeting of this international scale, and I found it incredibly engaging and inspiring. The conference included a wide range of excellent talks. A particular highlight was Ian Roberts' talk on IgA nephropathy, which I found especially interesting for showcasing the evolving role of histopathology in prognosticating and guiding medical renal clinical management. Presenting my poster gave me the chance to discuss my project with other trainees and consultants and receive constructive feedback. It was also great to meet colleagues from different centres and hear about their experiences and research interests. I am very grateful to the ISSP for awarding me a bursary to support my attendance. As someone at the beginning of my training, experiences like this are incredibly valuable and has motivated me to become more involved in research. I came away from the conference with new ideas, an expanded professional network and renewed interest in academic pathology. I would highly recommend attending this event and applying to the ISSP bursary to fellow trainees. Dr Adrian Hayes, bursary recipient.
The ISSP has a remit to provide a forum to discuss and promote advancement and education in the discipline of histopathology on the Island of Ireland. Registered in Dublin, Ireland, under Company Registration Number 500586. A limited liability company being a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital.