The RCPA Haematology QAP officially began in 1963 with Dr Shoobridge distributing morphology slides to a small group of laboratories as an educational exercise.

 

In 1974 Dr Grace ran the Haematology QAP from Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney with approximately 100 laboratories.

 

The program moved to Perth in 1978 with Dr Jackson as the Chairman, 120 participating laboratories and 12 surveys per year including the FBC program.

 

The program moved to the ICPMR Building, Westmead Hospital Sydney, in 1983 with Dr Wilbur Hughes as Chairman and Ms Robyn Watman as Program Coordinator. Since 1983 the program has grown considerably with over 890 participating laboratories from Australia and many overseas countries predominantly from New Zealand and Asia.

 

Dr Katherine Marsden was appointed Program Chair in 2000 and the Program Manager is Mr John Sioufi.  RCPA Haematology QAP has increased the number of programs offered over the last few years to include Molecular Diagnostics, Oncology Immunophenotyping, G6PD, Automated Differential, CD 34+ and Special Haemostasis.  The program continues to grow with the introduction of  ESR, Reticulocyte and Malarial Parasite programs in 2008.

 

In October 2009 the Haematology QAP relocated to Northmead, NSW.