Dr Martin Young heads up the services provided to the NHS Cervical Screening London (CSL) programme.
A Distinguished Career
Martin is a highly experienced diagnostic histo-cytopathologist. He started his career at St George’s Hospital South London, and was latterly a senior consultant at the Royal Free London Hospital.
As well as his career in active diagnostic practice, Martin has also been keenly involved in education and training, and was Health Education England’s Head of Pathology for all specialties for six years.
Having semi-retired from practice, he was invited to head up Sonic Healthcare UK’s Cervical Screening London (CSL) programme in August 2025. He notes how the programme has developed.
“CSL has changed over the years. As well as achieving economies of scale through consolidation and fewer labs, quality has improved and there has been a move away from cytology as the primary screening test to HPV testing using PCR techniques.”
The Power of Communication
Each of the five participating London Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) has a programme board responsible for all aspects of screening. CSL contributes to these boards. Each provider must have a CSL Programme Lead who has oversight of the quality and risk across the services being provided.
As well as being Medical Director, Martin acts as CSL Programme Lead, a role that requires careful coordination.
“Much of the CSL Programme Lead role relies on the need for clear lines of communication between the many parties involved, and my position is very much about being chief communicator.”
Looking Ahead
Martin explained that one of the most significant technical developments of the service has been the adoption of ThinPrep, a liquid-based Cytology method used for microscopy samples. The technique has opened up opportunities to conduct more ancillary tests for other infections.
He adds that the real advances in technology centre on the use of digital techniques.
“The direction of travel for pathology is all about digitisation. We will increasingly use digital images and AI to support diagnoses. One of my first responsibilities is to manage the change of our labs from conventional to image staining. This should come into effect early in the New Year and, further to rigorous assessment, become mainstream soon afterwards.”
Consuming Passions
As well as his time-consuming role, Martin says he has two other passions in life: music and Italy.
“I love spending time in Italy where I have a home and from where I can work remotely. I also play violin and perform in a symphony orchestra when I’m in London.”
It would seem Martin enjoys combining a perfect blend of art and science.