Chair | Scientific Advisory Committee

Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee

Vice President, Clinical Quality and Senior Director, Clinical Quality  

Three years, commencing 1 June 2026

The Scientific Advisory Committee has a broad brief encompassing both basic and clinical science, including health services research. 

• To 'horizon scan' and debate relevant scientific issues, including future developments of relevance to the specialty.
• To produce regular Scientific Impact Papers, Statements and news items for the membership as determined by the Clinical Quality Board.
• To contribute to College responses on national policies and direction as determined by the Clinical Quality Board and the Clinical Quality Assurance Group.
• To react to requests for scientific advice from Officers, committees, working parties and the RCOG membership.
• To advise Officers and appropriate committees about future national and international scientific and clinical meetings and study groups.  

The responsibilities of the Chair include:  

• Oversee, review and feedback on draft stages during the development and production of Scientific Impact Papers. 
• Represent the Scientific Advisory Committee at the quarterly Clinical Quality Board meetings. 
• Chair four meetings a year. 
• With the support of the Committee secretary, set the agendas and ensure that decisions taken are properly and effectively followed up and completed. 
• Deal with all enquiries and correspondence from College Officers, Fellows and Members, and outside bodies, as and when they arise. 
• Coordinate College responses, as requested by College Officers, to 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 Vice Chair and which can be held over until the next Committee meeting. 
• Recommend future membership of the Committee and the representative on the Clinical Quality Assurance Group. 
• Liaise with the Committee secretary and Vice Chair after each meeting to finalise the minutes in a timely manner of two weeks. 
• Commit to monthly catch-up meetings via Microsoft Teams with the Committee secretary.  

• Vice Chair and Members of the Scientific Advisory Committee
• Vice President, Clinical Quality
• Director, Clinical Quality
• Members of the Clinical Quality team, specifically Editorial Managers, Head of Guidance and Clinical Quality Administrator
• RCOG press office 
• Executive Director, Education and Quality

The Committee meets four times per year. The Chair will be expected to attend all Committee meetings either in person or remotely via Microsoft Teams, and help to finalise the minutes. The Chair is also expected to represent the Committee at quarterly Clinical Quality Board meetings. 

There is a significant commitment outside of the meetings to deal with Committee matters and responses to consultations as required, with the monthly catch-up required to facilitate this.  

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.  

A new Chair will be appointed approximately 3 months before the end of the current holder's term of office and they should work together during this time in order to facilitate a smooth takeover period.  

Essential

• FRCOG/MRCOG  
• Registered with a licence to practise with GMC, in good standing 
• Substantive consultant in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS practice 
• Evidence of annual appraisal 
• At least one fully completed CPD cycle 
• 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 clinical guidance or journal article development 
• Current or previous member of the Scientific Advisory Committee  

Desirable

• Developed RCOG clinical guidance/papers/journal articles 
• Peer reviewed RCOG clinical guidance/papers/journal articles 
• Implemented RCOG clinical guidance locally  

Essential

• Clear demonstration of a commitment to improving women’s health relevant to the Scientific Advisory Committee  
• Conversant with the activities and reporting structure of the Scientific Advisory Committee   
• Understanding of role of the Scientific Advisory Committee  
• Knowledge of the RCOG’s Strategic and Operational Plans  
• Good communicator as evidenced by past publications and presentations  
• Agreement from host organisation to be released to fulfil roles  
• Flexibility  
• To maintain confidentiality of items discussed   
• Prepared to respond rapidly to issues as they arise  
• Prepared to undertake work for the Committee, outside of the Committee meetings  
• Prepared to represent the views of the Scientific Advisory Committee for formal consultations  
• Prior experience of a significant leadership role  
• Detailed knowledge of the NHS  
• Up to date with membership subscriptions  
• In 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.

The purpose of the Scientific Advisory Committee is to advise the College on scientific issues, principally – though not exclusively – through the production of high quality Scientific Impact Papers, which add value to the membership of the RCOG.  

• To manage the development, updating and publication of Scientific Impact Papers as determined by the Clinical Quality Assurance Group and Clinical Quality Board.  
• To quality assure the enhanced content based on Scientific Impact Papers.  
• To ‘Horizon scan’ and debate relevant scientific issues, including future developments of relevance to the specialty.  
• Contribute to College responses on national policies and direction as determined by the CQB.  
• Respond to requests for scientific advice from RCOG officers, committees, working parties and Fellows/Members of the College.  
• Advise Officers and appropriate committees on future national and international scientific and clinical meetings and study groups.  
• Representation on the RCOG Clinical Quality Assurance Group and 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.  

The current membership can be found in Appendix I.   

Members should commit their presence within the Committee by:

• Submitting comments promptly on Scientific Impact Papers throughout the development process where requested. (If members of the committee do not submit comments ahead of two meetings within a 12-month period they will be contacted by the Chair.)  
• 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.

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.