Joining the RCP's Patient and Carer Network

Do you want to improve health and healthcare?

By joining the PCN you can be part of a lively and engaged group of volunteers who support and help to shape the work of the Royal College of Physicians. PCN members provide the vital perspective of patients and carers, and their invaluable contribution helps to ensure a continuous focus on patient-centred care, patient safety and health improvement. Contributions may be given online or in person, and roles vary depending on experience, interests and availability.

As a PCN member, you’ll need to have:

• an interest in health or social care
• the desire to improve health and healthcare
• the ability to volunteer time either online or in person
• respect for diversity
• the ability to work well with others.

How do I join the PCN?

We want to encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to be a PCN member and have aimed to make the application process as straightforward as possible.

There are no formal skills or qualifications required to join the PCN. All our members share an interest in improving health and healthcare, and an awareness of current health and social care issues. The RCP works flexibly to support PCN members according to the individual time that people are able to give.

To apply to join the PCN, please fill out the application form in the downloads section at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can send us a video of yourself answering the questions or arrange a call with us.

We aim to respond to you with the outcome of your application or ask for further information within 15 working days of receiving it.

If you would just like to find out more about the PCN, we would be very happy to have an informal conversation with you – please get in touch via the email below to arrange a call.

Please email all applications to PCN@rcp.ac.uk

Please see the downloads section below.

Working to be inclusive

The RCP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that we have room to improve and are working hard to broaden the diversity of our Patient and Carer Network so that it better reflects our membership, the NHS and wider society. We champion an inclusive culture and welcome applications from all sections of society that reflect a wide range of patient and carer perspectives. Join us to help achieve our vision of a world in which everyone has the best possible health and healthcare.