What we do

The RCOG works to improve women’s health care across the world. Founded in 1929, we now have over 16,000 members worldwide and work with a range of partners both in the UK and globally to improve the standard of care delivered to women, encourage the study of obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G), and advance the science and practice of O&G.

Basic Pratical Skills workshop, RCOG

RCOG membership admission ceremony

RCOG's global health work

To achieve our goals, we:

Work with the RCOG Women’s Network to ensure women’s views on the care they receive are at the heart of everything we do
Publish clinical guidelines that set standards for high quality women’s health care, including national clinical guidelines through the NICE-funded National Guideline Alliance
Publish patient information leaflets explaining medical conditions in lay terms and the levels of care women can expect to receive
Develop the education, training and exam programme for doctors wishing to specialise in O&G
Provide a continuing professional development programme for qualified O&G clinicians, including practical skills courses and educational and scientific meetings and conferences, to ensure their skills remain up to date
Carry out audit and quality improvement projects to improve women’s health care
Promote academic work in O&G, to ensure continued improvement in the service our members offer to women
Work with international partners to improve sexual and reproductive health care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, through our global health strategy
Contribute to policy development as it affects the O&G profession, the health service and wider women’s health concerns
Advise the government and other public bodies on healthcare matters relating to O&G
Help employers, commissioners and managers provide safe and sustainable services that improve women's health through our invited review service
Publish statements and reports on issues of public importance relevant to O&G
Support other organisations with similar objectives to the College, including specialist societies

Find out more

To find out more, please:

Read our strategic plan, which sets out our key objectives and strategic goals
Read our annual reports and reviews

Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)

The FSRH, which is based at the College, was founded in 1993 and is an educational body within the discipline of sexual and reproductive health care. The Faculty has over 15,000 members from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Find out more about the FSRH.

Elsewhere on the site

Membership: Find out more about the College’s work as a membership organisation for O&G clinicians

Global health work: Find out more about our work to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide