Chair | Patient Information Committee

Chair, Patient Information Committee

• Senior Director, Clinical Quality
• Vice President, Clinical Quality  

Three years, commencing May 2026

1. To manage the development, updating and publication of RCOG patient information as determined by the Clinical Quality Assurance Group (CQAG) and Clinical Quality Board (CQB). RCOG patient information resources are: 

• Evidence-based: using formal structured literature review methodology. Where there is a gap in published evidence, the Patient Information Committee (PIC) employs an informal consensus approach through group discussion.  In line with current methodology the entire development process follows strict guidance which is both transparent and robust. 
• Balanced: each document is the product of the whole Patient Information Committee rather than an individual. 
• Accurate: accurate interpretation of the evidence is checked with the clinical guideline developers (source documents). 
• Impartial: the robust methodology of the source documents ensures impartiality. 
• Well-written: all written information is presented in plain English with final edit by our professional publishing team. 
• Accessible: all patient documents are freely available from our website to all English speaking literate users with access to a computer. They are also publicised to RCOG members who may give print versions to their patients. 
• Up to date: there is a process for regular review of all patient information documents, usually three years or earlier when new evidence emerges relating to the evidence underpinning the content. When a document is updated, the previous version is archived. 

2. To collaborate with other organisations and co-develop or endorse patient information, as determined by the Board. 

3. To collaborate with the wider Clinical Quality team and other Clinical Quality committees on RCOG projects relevant to patient information. 

4. To provide comments on consultation documents, for example patient information resources developed by other organisations. 

• Review patient information at all stages of development to take overall responsibility for the content, accuracy and length of the information.  
• Represent the Patient Information Committee at the quarterly Clinical Quality Board meetings.  
• Chair four meetings a year. 
• With the support of the Committee secretary, set meeting agendas and ensure that decisions taken are properly and effectively followed up and completed.  
• Support the committee secretary in dealing with all enquiries and correspondence from College Officers, Fellows and Members, and outside bodies, as and when they arise.  
• Provide feedback on relevant consultation documents from external bodies.  
• Where appropriate, seek advice and opinion about particular issues from individuals and experts not represented on the Committee.  
• Decide which issues are to be dealt with immediately by the Chair and which can be held over until the next Committee meeting.  
• Recommend future membership of the Committee. 

• Vice Chair, Patient Information Committee 
• Members of the Patient Information Committee 
• Vice President, Clinical Quality 
• Director, Clinical Quality 
• Members of the Clinical Quality Team, specifically the Editorial Managers, Head of Guidance and Clinical Quality Administrators
• Executive Director, Education and Quality

The Committee meets four times per year, which include one in-person meeting. Attendance is mandatory at meetings either in person or via Microsoft Teams.  

There will also be a significant commitment outside of the meetings to deal with Committee matters and other matters relating to the role as required. 

This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term.

Essential

• FRCOG/MRCOG  
• Registered with a licence to practice with GMC, in good standing 
• Substantive consultant in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice 
• Subscribing members of the College (Fellow, Member or Associate) 
• Evidence of annual appraisal 
• Evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within previous three years 

Desirable

• Formal training or experience in healthcare management 
• Previous role as clinical manager such as departmental lead/clinical director 

Essential

• Experience of developing patient information locally 
• Experience working with patient or stakeholder groups 

Desirable

• Past or current member of the Patient Information Committee 

Essential 

• Clear demonstration of a commitment to improving women’s health relevant to the Patient Information Committee 
• Conversant with the activities and reporting structure of the Patient Information Committee 
• Understanding of the role of the Patient Information Committee 
• Knowledge of the RCOG’s strategic and operational plans 
• Willingness to work remotely between meetings – with an understanding that time will be limited around clinical commitments/other work 
• Good communicator as evidenced by past publications and presentations 
• Agreement from host organisation to be released to fulfil roles 
• Flexibility 
• Agreement to maintain confidentiality of items discussed  
• Prepared to respond rapidly to issues as they arise 
• Prepared to undertake work for the College, outside of the committee meetings 
• Prepared to represent the views of the Patient Information Committee for formal consultations 
• Prior experience of a significant leadership role 
• Detailed knowledge of current NHS  
• Up to date with membership subscriptions 
• Of good standing with the College 

Information about the RCOG CPD Framework can be found here.

Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers

If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including, for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.

CPD users can now freely select and record the number of credits for all their CPD activities. For Experiential Learning Events, a Reflection is required to claim the selected credits. In addition, 1 or 2 credits can be claimed for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.

For those who prefer to follow RCOG recommendations, the CPD Framework still provides a suggested number of credits that can be claimed for different CPD activities.

Further information can be found in the RCOG CPD Framework document.

To produce high quality patient information on areas where: 

• new high quality clinical evidence has been published 
• there are high rates of mortality, morbidity or disability 
• improved standards of care would reduce rates of mortality, morbidity or disability 
• there is uncertainty, as evidenced by a wide variation in clinical practice and service delivery 
• there are implications across the primary-secondary care interface 

The information produced is designed to: 

• provide objective, up to date, relevant information for women about conditions, diseases, treatments, procedures 
• empower women to make informed decisions about their health and healthcare 
• accurately reflect the content of the source document (e.g. College document such as Green-top Guideline, Scientific Impact Paper, NICE) 
• supplement source document with other essential information 
• reflect the views collated through the peer review and consumer pilot processes 
• support busy professionals by providing high quality evidence-based information to reinforce that given verbally, e.g. at consultations, pre- and post- procedures 

The RCOG patient information is mostly derived from its clinical guidelines e.g. Green-top Guidelines, Scientific Impact Papers, consent series, but also from other approved national sources e.g. NICE, BASHH. On exceptional occasions, patient information on a subject without a source document may be developed. This would only be if it considered essential to have patient information on the subject and only after approval by Clinical Quality Assurance Group or Clinical Quality Board. 

The information produced is designed to: 

• provide objective, up to date, relevant information for women about conditions, diseases, treatments, procedures 
• empower women to make informed decisions about their health and healthcare 
• accurately reflect the content of the source document (e.g. College document such as Green-top Guideline, Scientific Impact Paper, NICE) 
• supplement source document with other essential information 
• reflect the views collated through the peer review and consumer pilot processes 
• support busy professionals by providing high quality evidence-based information to reinforce that given verbally, e.g. at consultations, pre- and post- procedures 

The RCOG patient information is mostly derived from its clinical guidelines e.g. Green-top Guidelines, Scientific Impact Papers, consent series, but also from other approved national sources e.g. NICE, BASHH. On exceptional occasions, patient information on a subject without a source document may be developed. This would only be if it considered essential to have patient information on the subject and only after approval by Clinical Quality Assurance Group or Clinical Quality Board. 

Committee membership will include representation from RCOG Fellows and Members, including Trainees, with expertise across the specialty, as well as lay representation from the RCOG Women’s Network.  

The Committee will co-opt additional members, including those with expertise in genetics, neonatology and science.  

Internal RCOG staff attending Guidelines Committee meetings to include: Guidance Editorial Manager, Head of Quality Improvement, and the Director of Clinical Quality.   

A quorum for the meeting will be three RCOG Fellows and Members representatives, plus one of the Chairs/ vice-Chairs.  

Members should commit their presence within the Committee by:  

• Submitting comments on Patient Information throughout the development process where requested.  
• Being responsive to other requests for opinions on matters arising between meetings.  
• Understanding the sensitive nature of the Committee’s work and making sure trust and respect is maintained by constructive discussion and challenge.  
• Submitting declarations of interest as requested. A provision has been made for the core membership to declare any interests, along with a register that is retained for each meeting.   

The Committee will adhere to the RCOG policies and meetings will be held quarterly.  

One meeting a year will be held at the Union Street College building (with Microsoft Teams provision for those unable to travel).   

All other meetings will be fully virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams.  

Members of the Committee may request an extraordinary meeting if urgent matters arise.  

If members of the Committee are unable to attend for two meetings within a 12-month period they will be contacted by the Chair.  

Final drafts are presented to the Clinical Quality Assurance Group for quality assurance as and when they are ready for publication. In cases where there is a related Green-top Guideline being developed or updated the Editors of each format work together to to ensure both documents are published simultaneously.

The Scientific Advisory Committee reports to the Clinical Quality Board, via the sharing of minutes and Chair/Vice Chair representation at these Board meetings.

Actions and summarised minutes will be circulated to members within four weeks of a meeting.

Please send all correspondence to the committee secretary on clinicaleffectiveness@rcog.org.uk. 

The members of the Patient Information Committee, which includes clinicians and consumers, are responsible for producing the patient information, with support from the Patient Information Committee Secretary (Guidance Editorial Manager, Patient Information). The usual term of office of committee members is three years. The Patient Information Committee Secretary is a permanent member of the RCOG staff.

The committee consists of: 

• Chair, a Fellow/Member Representative, appointed by interview 
• 3 RCOG Fellow/Member Representatives  
• 1 RCOG Trainee Representative 
• 1 Midwife Representative 
• 1 Nurse Representative                                                 
• 2 RCOG Women’s Network Representative       
• RCOG Senior Director, Clinical Quality 
• RCOG Head of Guidance, Clinical Quality 
• RCOG Head of Patient and Public Involvement         
• Guidance Editorial Manager (Patient information) (Committee Secretary)