Clinical quality, research and patient safety

There are many ways for both members and the public to get involved in our work to improve clinical quality, innovation research and patient safety

On this page you will find information about how you can get involved in a diverse range of clinical quality work and projects

The RCOG are committed to excellence in all O&G practices, encouraging innovation in research and helping women and girls access accurate information about their health.

To do this, we rely on the specialist skills, knowledge and experiences of both our members and service users to help shape our work.

You can find out more about our Clinical Quality committees here.

Current opportunities are now live, apply by Wednesday 21 January 2026.

Clinical Quality opportunities

Fellow/Member Representative | Guidelines Committee

Responsibilities of the Guidelines Committee Member include reviewing and supporting the development of Green-top guidelines, provide comments on consultation documents (particularly NICE guidelines) and attending quarterly Guidelines Committee meetings. We are looking for two Representatives, for which UK Fellows/Members are eligible to apply for.

Chair | Scientific Advisory Committee

Responsibilities of the Chair include overseeing, reviewing and feeding back on draft stages during the development and production of Scientific Impact Papers among others. UK Fellows/Members who are a current or previous member of the Scientific Advisory Committee are eligible to apply for this position.

Vice Chair | Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee is responsible for 'horizon scanning' and debating relevant scientific issues, producing regular Scientific Impact Papers, and contributing to College responses on national policies and direction. UK Fellows/Members who are a current or previous member of the Scientific Advisory Committee are eligible to apply for this position.

Fellow/Member Representative | Scientific Advisory Committee

Responsibilities of the Representative include reviewing Scientific Impact Papers at all stages of development, providing an expert view on if topics should be commissioned and submitting comments on papers and proposals in a timely manner. We welcome applications from UK Fellows/Members.

Clinical Fellows (Retired) | Clinical Quality

Responsibilities of the Retired Clinical Fellow include assisting the College in contributing to develop a timely response to consultations from external organisations, responding to general O&G queries and be part of ad hoc task and finish groups. UK Fellows/Members who have been specialists in obstetrics/gynaecology in the last three to five years are eligible to apply for this position.

Fellow/Member Representative | Patient Safety Committee

The Patient Safety Committee is responsible for providing a cohesive network for developing guidance and information sharing within women’s health across national and regional organisations and networks. We welcome applications from UK Fellows/Members for two available Representative positions.

Chair | Patient Information Committee

Responsibilities of the Chair include reviewing patient information at all stages of development to take overall responsibility for the content, accuracy and length of the information, and representing the Patient Information Committee at the quarterly Clinical Quality Board meetings. UK Fellows/Members can apply for this position.

Clinical Member Representative | Patient Information Committee

Support the development, updating and publication of RCOG patient information, ensure it is evidence-based, balanced, accurate, accessible, up-to-date and well written, and collaborate with co-developers, providing comments and feedback on consultation documents. UK Fellows/Members are eligible to apply for our three available Representative positions.

Genomic Trainee Representative | Genomics Standing Committee

The Genomics Standing Committee is a new committee that is responsible for facilitating the establishment of and advising the RCOG in fostering genomics expertise within the discipline of obstetrics and gynaecology, guiding the development of a strategy to impart the understanding of genomics across the RCOG membership and advising the RCOG on all genomics matters and meets four times a year remotely. UK Members, who are Trainees in O&G, or SAS doctors are eligible to apply.

How volunteers contribute to our work

The profession

Our members play a vital role in the development of clinical guidance that set standards for high-quality women's healthcare.

This ranges from joining our guideline committees, informing our scientific advisory work to contributing to consultations, peer reviews and quality assurance.

Service users

The College collaborates with a range of stakeholders to ensure our patient information resources capture the views of women and people on the care they receive. Patient input is at the heart of everything we do.

What our volunteers say

"Make a real difference"

"I was keen to make a real difference in maternity care at the national level. It is a great sense of achievement to be able to make a difference and shoulder the accountability that comes with it. It helps me develop personally and professionally"

"Rewarding"

"The most rewarding aspect of my roles is to be able to provide evidence based information that supports excellent clinical care across the breadth of obstetrics and gynaecology and being able to provide support for colleagues and women"

"Professional community"

"Getting involved in the work of the College is one of the best career decisions I have made. It has helped me in my own personal job satisfaction, kept me challenged and interested as the years have gone by, and made me feel part of a much wider professional community"

"Network"

"The RCOG has been very supportive and I want to be able to contribute back to my colleagues. Volunteering also allows me to network and learn from like-minded people. I had the privilege of serving on two committees, both with exceptional members"

Stay informed

"I have immensely enjoyed meeting colleagues from all over the country in our speciality. It has been a real privilege to contribute in some small way to the work of the College and feel that you are helping to make a difference for colleagues and our patients"

RCOG Committee volunteer

"I chose to get involved with my College to enrich my career as a fetal medicine consultant, to meet colleagues around the country, to widen my knowledge and to keep my interest in obstetrics. Volunteering is well worth it and adds another dimension to life as a consultant"

RCOG Committee volunteer