Member of the RCGPNI Patient Network (Lay position)

Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland Patient Network

RCGPNI is currently recruiting new members to our virtual Patient Network. 

If you would like to play a key role in supporting GPs to work effectively with patients and the public, have the opportunity to respond to activity that impacts on the quality of patient care in Northern Ireland, and provide a patient perspective to the work of RCGPNI, please get in touch.

This is a voluntary role for a term of up to three years. The Patient Network operates remotely so ability to communicate via digital means is essential.

Role 

To play an active part in a group which is responsible for:

• Supporting activities that encourage GPs to work effectively in partnership with patients and public.
• Influencing and responding to activity in Northern Ireland that impacts on the quality of patient care.

Providing a patient perspective to the work of RCGPNI

Dimensions

• Contribution to the College's strategic, campaigning and policy priorities, including input into RCGP policy papers, consultation responses and other documents when required.
• Acting as a sounding board for RCGPNI communications activity to ensure that the patient voice is captured when appropriate in external comments.

Involvement in other College activities, committees and seminars as appropriate and if members have the capacity to do so.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

• Have an awareness of, and interest in, health and social care structures and issues in Northern Ireland
• Have an interest in, and understanding of, the work and aims of RCGP and an interest in contributing to work of the College
• Ability to act as a team member including engaging with others’ perspectives and collaborating with fellow group members

The Patient Network operates remotely so ability to communicate effectively via digital means is essential.

Terms and conditions

• Appointment is for up to three years.
• Members are obliged to disclose any conflicts of interest that they may have in relation to items of business being discussed or considered.
• Members are obliged to adhere to the College Code of Conduct, Behavioural Framework, Data Protection and GDPR.

All members of the College, including lay members of the RCGPNI Patient Forum, are expected to uphold the aims, objectives and values of the College and act in its best interests and enhance its reputation as a respected professional and academic body for GPs.

Should you have any questions or want to request an application form, please do not hesitate to contact claire.castles@rcgp.org.uk or Cliona.mccarney@rcgp.org.uk

Completed applications should be returned no later than Friday 12 January 2024

About the RCGP

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the largest membership organisation solely for GPs in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1952, it has over 54,000 members who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline. General practice is the largest branch of the medical profession. It provides some 1 million consultations for patients in the UK every working day and deals with 86% of the health problems experienced by the UK population.

RCGP Northern Ireland represents more than 1,400 GPs, more than 75% of GPs in Northern Ireland.

The Royal College of General Practitioners is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, who are currently underrepresented within the RCGPNI Patient Network.