Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
Women’s Network member role description
Role
Committee
General
approach and
philosophy of
Women’s
Network
Responsibilities
of Network
Member
RCOG Women’s Network Member
RCOG Women’s Network (WN)
The RCOG Women’s Network believes :

the patient’s experience of obstetrics and gynaecology services is of huge
importance and has a vital role to play in improving and developing services.

it is crucially important that accessible information should be readily available to
women as this enables empowered and informed health choices.

in carrying out all work within a framework of equal opportunity, recognising that
issues such as gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race and culture are
important and can impact hugely on women’s health.

in promoting global advocacy for women’s health and childbirth in line with the
RCOG’s strategic plan.
1. Women’s Network meetings
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To attend and contribute actively to the four formal WN meetings per year at
the RCOG.
In between formal meetings, to contribute to Network business through email
exchanges/telephone consultations between members.
To continue and complete work on areas of priority identified by the Women’s
Network.
To contribute to ad hoc working groups and patient experience and public
engagement projects developed as part of the WN work programme and
priorities
2. Working with RCOG boards, committees and working groups

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To take responsibility for one or more college committee, board or working
group, attending their meetings to ensure that a patient/lay perspective is
provided appropriately on the issues being discussed. The main areas of work
are:
 Standards, quality, management, audit, ethics
 Education and training: minimum competencies, revalidation, curriculum
development
 Clinical guidelines, patient information, website development
 Research
To report back, in both written and verbal format, so that members of the
Network are kept up to date with all aspects of the College’s work.
3. Provision of patient views and public perspective
To review and comment, using the appropriate documentation, on the following:
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RCOG reports
RCOG research
RCOG guidelines
Consultation papers
Patient information
4. RCOG Patient Experience and Public Engagement development
To contribute to strategic development of, and practical activities related to, the College’s
growing Patient Experience and Public Engagement programme.
5. Represent the RCOG Women’s Network
From time to time, to attend national meetings and events (a) to represent the WN and (b)
to report back to the WN on emerging national policies and issues relevant to the work of
the College and the WN.
Commitment of There are four WN meetings per year, on a week day, normally in March, June, September
members
and December that members are expected to attend. Depending on other committees on
which the member represents the WN, there are likely to be at least four more quarterly
meetings per year to attend as well as ad hoc events.
Therefore it is estimated that, including remote work from home and physical attendance
at the College, a commitment of at least one day per month will be required.
Tenure of
membership
Members of the Women’s Network serve a three year term. Towards the end of their term
members may request, via the Chair, to continue on a one year extension to their
membership or request a further full three year term. This will be judged on a case by case
basis by the RCOG Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Expenses
Membership of the Women’s Network is voluntary. Out of pocket expenses will be paid to
members in accordance with the RCOG expenses policy which includes travel expenses,
lunch and accommodation when necessary.
Women’s Network member: person specification
Essential
Education &
Qualifications
Experience

Experience of
healthcare sector
Knowledge

Understanding of
current NHS and
health care issues
Understanding of
Committee procedure
Understanding of, and
commitment to,
principles of equal
opportunities and
diversity


Skills and
abilities

Desirable
 Good general education
to advanced level or
equivalent
 Management
experience in health
related fields
 Experience of
committee working and
procedure
 Experience of project
planning or topic based
working
 Working on behalf of
patients and public
 Writing and publishing
experience
 Personal experience as
a patient of obstetrics
and gynaecological
services
 Understanding of
effective approaches to
patient and public
engagement
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Other
requirements

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Willingness to travel
to London and
elsewhere and,
occasionally, be away
from home overnight
Regular availability for
Research skills
Ability to investigate
topics and make
recommendations
Ability to interpret
numerical, statistical
and qualitative data
IT literacy; competent in
Microsoft Word and in
communicating using
email
Method of assessment
Curriculum vitae
Curriculum vitae,
supporting statement and
interview
Supporting statement and
interview
Supporting statement and
interview
Interview
attending meetings
and contributing to
work of WN