The Patient and Carer Network has been established to ensure that the interests of patients, carers and the public are fully integrated in the work of the College.
There are currently 75 members of the Network. Members are patients, carers and members of the general public from a range of backgrounds and across a wide geographic spread. These individuals wish to help the College develop and enhance its relationship with patients in the interests of improving healthcare. The College can draw on this wide pool of skills and knowledge, derived from professional and personal experience, which provides a valuable insight into the needs of the communities in which Network members live, thus better informing our work.
Patient and Carer Network members join the Network for three years and once appointed undertake a number of activities including membership on College working parties and committees, providing comment on consultation documents and taking part in Invited Service Reviews.
How are Network members recruited?
The RCP recruit to the Patient and Carer Network by the following methods:
- Advertisements are placed in the national press, including the Big Issue
- Patient organisations are notified of the advertisement
- RCP representatives throughout the UK – e.g hospital consultants – are asked to bring the advert to the attention of interested parties
- RCP website
An application form is sent to interested individuals together with a role description and background information about the College.
A key part of the selection process is an informal interview lasting 30 minutes. This meeting outlines the purpose of the Patient and Carer Network and finds out more about the applicant’s experience and background. The College wishes to recruit people who are able to give a balanced viewpoint, who are able to carry out the activities for which they have been recruited and to ensure that the Network is made up of a variety of individuals from different walks of life.
Following interview, successful applicants are telephoned to ask if they are willing to accept a place on the Network, upon agreement, referees are contacted.
Once satisfactory references are received, successful applicants are sent a Patient and Carer Agreement which confirms their place on the Network and invited to an induction day.
Recruitment to the Network takes place on a regular basis. If you would like to be contacted when we commence recruitment to this role again please contact the Patient Involvement Unit on 020 7935 1174 ext 237 or by email on piu@rcplondon.ac.uk.
Patient and Carer Network role description (Word doc 153kb opens in new window)