Lay Member | Women's Network

Lay Member, Women's Network

Women's Network

3 years, commencing November 2024

Membership of the Network requires commitment of approximately one day a month, to come together for a Network meeting and other meetings related to committees or working groups that members become involved with (either in person in London or via teleconference – which ever suits your needs and requirements best). New members will be expected to represent the Network on one of the College committees relating to the following areas of the RCOG’s work: 

•    Education and training of O&G doctors 
•    Exams and assessment
•    Patient safety, audit and quality improvement
•    Development of clinical guidance and patient information
•    Policy and public affairs.

We are particularly looking to recruit someone who is interested in sitting on our Guidelines Committee. This committee meets four times per year, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10am – 4pm. Meetings occur via Microsoft Teams, however there is the option to attend one meeting in person. Due to the nature of this committee, it requires a substantial amount of pre-reading ahead of meetings. 
If you have further questions about the Women's Network you would like to ask before applying, or would like the application form in an alternative format, please contact the Patient Involvement team at womensvoices@rcog.org.uk 

1.    Women’s Network meetings

• To attend and actively contribute to the four formal WN meetings per year (either in person in London or via teleconference – whichever suits your needs)
• In between formal meetings, contribute to Network activity through email, Microsoft Teams and telephone communication as needed
• To continue and complete work on areas of priority identified by the Women’s Network
• To contribute to ad hoc working groups and patient and public involvement project work developed as part of the WN work programme and priorities

2.    Work with RCOG boards, committees and working groups

• To represent the Women’s Network on two or more College committees, boards or working groups, attending these meetings to ensure that the service user and Women’s Network perspective is provided appropriately on the issues being discussed. The main areas of work are:
• Patient safety, clinical audit and quality improvement, ethics
  Clinical guidelines, patient information
• Education and training: exams and assessment, professional development, curriculum development
• Policy and public affairs 
•  To report back to the Network, in both written and verbal format, bringing any necessary engagement requests identified from the committee for Network consideration

3.    Inform RCOG products

• To review and comment on the following:
• RCOG reports
• RCOG research
• RCOG guidance
• RCOG patient information
• External consultation papers

4.    Engage with and champion wider service user perspectives

• To maintain engagement with the RCOG Women’s Voices Involvement Panel through its social media activity
• To contribute to strategic development of and practical activities related to, the College’s growing patient and public involvement programme

5.    Represent the RCOG Women’s Network through engagement with external groups and initiatives 

• From time to time, represent the WN at regional and national meetings and events and report back to the WN on emerging national policies and issues relevant to the work of the College and the WN

• The Women’s Network leadership team
• RCOG patient and public involvement team
• Women’s Network members
• Chair, committee members and secretary of relevant committee o which you represent the Network

There are four half-day WN meetings per year, on a weekday – normally in March, June, September 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 committee per year to attend as well as ad hoc events. 

Therefore, it is estimated that a commitment of the equivalent of approximately one day per month is required.

Members are offered an honorarium payment of £1000 per year. Out of pocket expenses will be paid to members in accordance with the RCOG expenses policy which includes travel expenses and accommodation when necessary.

• Personal experience as a user or carer of someone who has recently used obstetric and/or gynaecological services

Essential

• Experience of project planning or topic based working
• Understanding of current NHS and health care issues
• Understanding of, and commitment to, principles of equality, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to take a balanced and objective approach to a broad range of O&G topics
• Ability to investigate topics and make recommendations
• IT literate; competent in Microsoft Word and in communicating using email (with training and support)
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Assertiveness
• Ability to critically review complex written or spoken information
• Regular availability for attending meetings and contributing to work of the Women’s Network

Desirable

• Keen to advocate on behalf of the public in a health or social context
• Knowledge of guidance and information development and consultation processes
• Knowledge of current O&G related initiatives and organisations championing health and service improvement
• Good analytical and research skills
• Ability to interpret numerical, statistical and qualitative data (with training and support)
• Willingness to travel to London and elsewhere in the UK and, occasionally, be away from home overnight

If you do not feel that you have all of the specific experience and skills outlined, but you have a passion for, and dedication to, improve the health of those using O&G services; a balanced and open minded approach; and willingness to learn and develop your skills further, your application is very much welcomed.

The Women's Network operates as a committee, coming together for weekday meetings four times per year. As well as the 14 lay members of the Network – which includes the Chair (Women’s Voices Lead) and two Vice Chairs – membership also includes two O&G consultants, one O&G trainee, and one of the College’s Vice Presidents.

The Network has clear Terms of Reference which outline its objectives and role within the College structure. The agenda for Network meetings is put together by the Chair and Vice Chairs with input from members of the Network, as well as some input from the College. A meeting agenda usually has some items for discussion relating to the work of the RCOG and an update from members on progress from other College committees that they are involved with. This provides the opportunity to discuss any issues that may have arisen from members’ work on these committees that requires insight from the full Network or from a wider group of service users. The meeting is also a chance for members to bring to the attention of the College any issues affecting the health and experience of services of O&G service users that they have become aware of from their own networks – for example, from peers or through involvement with other groups and communities.

The Network plays a crucial role in engaging with wider groups of people who use O&G services, particularly the College’s Women’s Voices Involvement Panel, which is a virtual group made up of over 700 people from across the UK. Network members are able to bring the views of the panel, and of other special interest organisations and campaigns, into the College’s work, for discussion at the meeting and to inform the College more generally.

In addition, the Network has strategic oversight and steering responsibilities for how the College continues to develop its work to involve the public within its activities, ensuring it is done in a meaningful way in line with good public involvement practice.

Outside of meetings, Network members are expected to comment on RCOG Guidelines and other papers electronically, reviewing documents and putting forward their views and suggestions from the perspective of the service user.

In addition to sitting on the Women's Network and actively contributing to its activities, members are required to join two or more other College committee or working group, to represent the Network and the wider public perspective. This will involve further time commitment every three months as well as a contribution to that committee’s work in between by email. These committees cover many aspects of the O&G specialty and are made up predominantly of Fellows and Members of the College – that is, doctors who are practising in the field. You can find information on specific committees with which new Network members will be asked to become involved in the role description. Effort is made to ensure members join committees that are well matched to their skills and interests.

Having Women's Network representation on RCOG committees makes sure that the public perspective informs the activities of these committees, by providing service user insight. The Network representative can offer their perspective, but also take any issues away and consult with the rest of the Network or the Women’s Voices Involvement Panel, before advising the committee further. 

The RCOG greatly appreciates the skills and expertise Women’s Network members bring and is committed to supporting all members in the work they do with the College.

Assigned staff members are responsible for liaising with Network members and assisting with their administrative needs. They support any project work and assist members to take forward work needed outside of committee meetings.

Upon appointment, members will receive an induction to the College and, as their membership begins, will be offered email, online or telephone support as needed from staff or the Women’s Network leadership team. In joining additional College committees, Network members will be fully briefed beforehand to understand the work of the committee, its remit and the purpose of their involvement within it.

Regular ad-hoc support and progress checks take place between members and the Network’s leadership team, to ensure involvement is working well and that their experience is continuing in a rewarding and productive way.

Learning and development opportunities will be available to members throughout their time on the Network including conferences, seminars and training events.

The RCOG and the Women's Network want to ensure that the Network is made up of people with a wide range of skills and experiences and from diverse backgrounds. We welcome applicants with different levels of relevant skills and experience, however an ability to input into discussion about issues that affect O&G service users is needed as is an interest in areas of the College’s work. Please thoroughly read the role description and person specification to understand the requirements of the role.

Many people with an interest in health and service improvement have a particular area of interest relating to a specific condition, personal experience or outcome. Applicants with a specific interest like this are encouraged to apply, but Network members must be able to take an objective and balanced overview of a wide range of issues relating to the O&G specialty and be willing to learn and develop areas of knowledge beyond their specific interest.

The RCOG Women’s Voices involvement Panel is designed to ensure a much wider community of O&G service users inform the College’s work. The Panel enables O&G service users to have real influence on matters that affect them. Members of the panel receive news of opportunities to be involved through email and social media.  This could be by commenting on information the RCOG is producing for the public or its members, or taking part in surveys about your own experiences of care. Most of this involvement can be done virtually and members of the group can choose the level of involvement that suits their interests and availability. If you are not already a member of the Panel and think this would suit you rather than applying to join the Network, you can find out more about the Panel and how to join here.