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Over many years Paul has fought for the retention of pathology collections used for teaching at various times in several London hospitals partnered with UCL. The most significant collection that was rescued was from Great Ormond Street Hospital, established in 1852 as the first inpatient hospital for sick children in the English speaking world. The collection was amassed between 1860 and the 1970’s. The majority of this collection has been in storage at the Royal Free for over 25 years waiting for funding for its conservation. It includes some beautiful plaster casts of children made to demonstrate pathology some with the signature of the Italian master craftsman on the base. Other collections were from Middlesex Hospital and Soho Hospital. The original documentation for many of these specimens has been lost but Paul is able to identify which collection many came from by the colour of paint used on the lids and the labelling method. Middlesex attached tiny printed labels to the specimens inside the pots.

I had a good opportunity to look at the workshop and talk about potting techniques with Paul. Many techniques have been developed by experimentation over the years. The people in London who have worked with these pathology collections over the last 30 years or so have all faced similar challenges when doubts have been raised about the value of retaining the specimens. This situation has occurred at teaching institutions around the world including UQ.

Now at UCL the only contact students routinely have with the collections is during a one week placement in the department in their third year.

Paul talks about the work he does in this film on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAXcoGe1R_0