RCP Resident Doctor Committee vacancies

Applications for the RCP Resident Doctor Committee open on Friday 9 October and close at 5pm on Friday 20 November. 

Trainee Committee

Ready to make your mark and help shape the future for resident doctors?

We’re looking for passionate, motivated resident doctors to represent their peers across the UK.

You should want to champion resident doctors, influence national discussions and help shape the future of medicine.

This is more than a committee role, it's an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change, work alongside senior clinical leaders and build your leadership skills.

If you care about the issues affecting resident doctors and want to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

You'll find important information below.

Please read all the information carefully. If you have any questions, please contact us RDC@rcp.ac.uk. 

Download the role description and person specification

Vacancies

We are recruiting for the following regions / roles:
  • Eastern
  • KSS 
  • London – Central and North East
  • Mersey
  • North Western
  • Northern
  • Northern Ireland
  • Oxford and Thames Valley
  • Peninsula
  • Severn
  • Wales
  • Wessex
  • West Midlands
  • Yorkshire
  • Locally employed doctor (LED) – national representation
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How to apply

Applications should be made through our online application form which will be available on 9 October. 

You will need to submit your answers to the following questions: 

  • Why would you like to join the RDC, and what do you hope to achieve in your term? (200 words)
  • What do you think are the most important issues currently facing resident doctors in your region or training programme? (200 words)
  • What strengths and experiences would you bring to the committee? (300 words)

We recommend preparing your answers in advance and paying close attention to the word count. 

Your answers will be scored anonymously and the top scoring applicants will be selected for the role. 

Shortlisting and outcomes will be announced in early 2027 and you would be expected to take up office from February 2027.

Closing date, 5pm Friday 20 November.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to RCP subscribing members only. You will need to become a member before applying for the role. 

Committee members are typically appointed for a term of up to 3 years, with the option of a 1-year extension by agreement with the committee chairs.

For a regional seat:

You can apply to join the RDC for a vacancy in the UK region where you work. You will need to hold a national training number (NTN) for:

  • higher specialty training (HST)
  • internal medicine training (IMT). 

To be eligible, you must not plan to CCT before February 2028 and thus be able to serve for a minimum of 12 months from the time of appointment (February 2027).

For an locally employed doctor (LED) seat:

Doctors in locally-employed roles must be working within physician specialties (as defined by the RCP). There are no fixed geographical requirements of these roles. 

You can apply for an LED vacancy after completing your foundation programme.

These vacancies are not open to SAS doctors, who are represented by the RCP SAS Network. 

The role

The RDC aims to meet the interests and needs of doctors at an important stage in their career. It also gives resident doctors an opportunity to feed into the development of RCP policy and to contribute to its work. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop management and leadership skills, and to shape physician education and policy at a national level.

The committee's remit is to:

  • represent the views of resident doctors on all major RCP committees and working groups
  • provide a channel of two-way communication between local resident doctors and the RCP
  • send delegates to the Academy Resident Doctors Committee and the BMA Resident Doctors Committee
  • represent the RCP RDC at other national health related bodies as the need arises
  • disseminate information to resident doctors and other resident doctor representatives (eg specialist society, regional resident doctor bodies, associate college tutors) following important discussions and meetings
  • respond to documents published by other stakeholders in training (eg Department of Health, the JRCPTB, and the Deans)
  • identify and act on any other areas that may affect the high standard of medical education and training set by the RCP.

The RDC meets three times a year: twice virtually and once in person at the RCP London or RCP Liverpool office.

Members of the RDC serve for 3 years after first appointment. This may be extended by a further year at the discretion of the (co)chairs.

Mumtaz Patel (1)

The Resident Doctor Committee is one of the most important ways that resident doctors influence the work of the RCP.  Your voice really does matter. I always enjoy working with the residents on the committee and I am continually impressed by their passion and dedication for improving education and training, patient care and the future of our profession. It's an honour to see how each representative grows throughout their time on the committee too, building new skills and making a huge difference and genuine impact. I look forward to welcoming you all and working with you. 

Professor Mumtaz Patel