RCGP Northern Ireland
About Northern Ireland
RCGP Northern Ireland aims to represent our members working in Northern Ireland and to address local issues. We also work with RCGP colleagues from across the UK on issues of mutual concern.
RCGPNI represents over 1,400 members in Northern Ireland, accounting for 75% of the GP workforce in Northern Ireland.
Activities of RCGPNI include:
- Membership support and development for all stages of the GP career
- Engagement with key policymakers and stakeholders including senior officials at the Department of Health, the Strategic Planning and Performance Group and other statutory agencies
- Political engagement, including with the Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee and Minister for Health
- Preparation of thorough responses to Governmental policy consultations, to ensure the views of general practice are on the record
- Represent general practice on a range of high level working groups to shape public policy
- Working with other medical Royal Colleges, the BMA and similar organisations to make progress on our common aims
- Represent the views of members by engaging with the media
- Support for practice-based staff
- Provision of CPD courses and events
RCGP Northern Ireland Council
The RCGP Northern Ireland Council is made up of GP elected members from the Northern Ireland Membership, including 15 geographic representatives (three from each trust area), as well as additional members who represent various membership communities and focus areas. There is also an appointed lay representative who holds observer status on RCGPNI Council. Members give their time on a voluntary basis to further the objectives of the College in Northern Ireland.
The Chair of RCGPNI Council is Dr Ursula Mason.
Email: ChairNI@rcgp.org.uk
Twitter: @ursulaamason
RCGPNI Council meetings take place online and in the RCGPNI Office on a quarterly basis with the Annual General Meeting being held in November. All members are entitled to attend the Council meetings as observers and should declare their intention to attend by emailing the NI Governance Officer Bronagh McCann on Bronagh.McCann@rcgp.org.uk or NICouncil@rcgp.org.uk.
Officers
Dr Ursula Mason, RCGPNI Chair and Belfast Area Representative
Council members
- Dr John Goodrich, Deputy Chair Membership & Professional Development and Northern Area Rep
- Dr Frew Johnston, Northern Area Representative
- Dr Aoibhin McGarrity, Northern Area Representative
- Dr Richard Kirk, South Eastern Area Representative
- Dr Adrienne Keown, Southern Area Representative
- Dr Emma Murtagh, Belfast Area Representative
- Dr Rebecca McGinley, Belfast Area Representative and UK Council Representative
- Dr Paul Molloy, Western Area Representative and GPC Representative
- Dr Gerard O’Flaherty, Western Area Representative
- Dr Andrew Wilson, First5 Representative
- Dr Miriam Dolan, Rural Representative
- Dr Nigel Hart, Academic Representative
- Dr Waqar Ahmed, Sessional Representative
- Dr Derval Dolan, Western Area Representative
- Dr Paul Leggett, NIMDTA Rep
- Vacant - GP Registrar Representative
- Dr Jonathan Fee, Southeastern Area Representative
- Dr Richard Dillion, Deputy First5 Representative
- Dr Enoma Patrick Osazuwa, International Medical Graduate Representative
- Dr Sailesh Mohana Krishnan, Equality Diversity and Inclusion Representative
- Dr John O’Kelly, Later Career and Retired Member Representative
- Dr Alan Glendinning, Southern Area Representative
- Dr Jonathan Dillon, Southern Area Representative
Northern Ireland Council Executive Committee members
- Dr Laurence Dorman
- Dr Ursula Mason
- Dr John Goodrich
- Dr Caren Walsh
- Dr Louise Dubras
- Dr Emma Murtagh
Practice Managers' Forum
The Practice Managers' Forum is a network of support to practice managers giving them a platform to share information, ideas and views on the smooth running of practice life. We host Practice Manager events bi-annually which are available to book via our website or contact NICouncil@rcgp.org.uk
Patient Network
To find out how to get involved in the Patient Network on behalf of patients in Northern Ireland, to continue enhancing the quality of services delivered by GPs, please contact Cliona McCarney
Your Local NI Events
RCGP Northern Ireland are proud to deliver a number of excellent educational and social events throughout the year.
View all learning and social events in Northern Ireland
Professional behaviours and communication principles
The successful treatment of our patients depends heavily on our ability to work well together. Good communication should sit at the heart of everything we do - and often many of the issues we face are the result of poor communication.
This document, which has been agreed by medical Royal Colleges in Northern Ireland, intends to renew a sense of professional respect and assist in overcoming barriers in the future.
Professional behaviours and communication principles (PDF file, 791 KB)
A prescription for general practice - Northern Ireland Assembly election manifesto 2022
Past Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners in Northern Ireland, Dr Laurence Dorman launched "A prescription for general practice" urging political leaders to prioritise investing in general practice, ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly election in May 2022.
- Read our press release about the launch
- RCGPNI Assembly Election Manifesto May 2022: A Prescription for General Practice (PDF file, 1,220 KB)
- RCGPNI: A prescription to treat the crisis in general practice (PDF file, 569 KB)
RCGPNI publications
- A Workforce Fit for the Future: RCGPNI Retention Strategy 2024 (PDF file, 1.6 MB)
- Support, sustain, renew - a vision for General Practice in Northern Ireland 2019 (PDF file, 1.7 MB)
- RCGPNI lesbian, gay and bisexual patient guidelines for GPs
- RCGPNI trans patient guidelines for GPs 2017 (PDF file, 1.5 MB)
- Patient participation groups booklet 2015 (PDF file, 3.3 MB)
Controlled drugs registers
If you would like to order a controlled drugs register (PDF file, 326 KB), please complete the order form or contact NICouncil@rcgp.org.uk. We will post a hardcopy Controlled Drugs register out to your chosen address.
Member support
We engage with members at all career stages through our Council representatives and via our programme of member support events. From student support via our Undergraduate Medical Champions, to recognising GP colleagues through RCGP Fellowship, we support you throughout your career. Our website hosts a wealth of information on your membership, including helpful resources and local events.
Continuing professional development
RCGPNI provide an educational programme during the course of the year with concessional rates for members. If you have any suggestions for future events or courses, please contact Michelle Newell.
Contact us
3 Joy Street
Belfast
BT2 8LE
Email: NICouncil@rcgp.org.uk
Phone: 020 3188 7722
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Upcoming events
04 December 2024
Personalised Cancer Care - PCI Major Conditions Webinar (live attendance only)
This webinar will enable attendees to gain a better understanding of cancer in the context of long-term condition management, using the components of the Comprehensive Model of Personalised Care to personalise cancer care. We will share a Case Study and make the case for why cancer is everyone’s business, wherever they practice. Please note: By registering for this webinar, you will only be able to attend the live session. A PCI Plus subscription is required to watch it on demand.
05 December 2024
Child health | One Day Essentials
Children and young people make up 25% of consultations in primary care. Amongst the simple and straightforward, there are some complexities and conditions that need careful thought and care. This conference will equip GPs to better manage conditions in Primary Care and to diagnose and treat common childhood illness along with appropriately managing more challenging or complex cases in children’s health.
05 December 2024
Tackling Extreme Health Inequalities: the role of Primary Care in Homelessness
Join us online for an in depth talk on tackling health inequalities, focusing on the unique healthcare needs of those who are homeless. Our speakers for the evening, Dr Chris Sargeant & Dr Chulanthi Samaratunga, both longstanding, experienced GPs, along with a member of the Pathway Lived Experience Group, will provide valuable insight, both from a healthcare provider and patient user perspective.
06 December 2024
Supporting your overall Wellbeing during times of stress
This free session involves a theoretical approach to how our bodies and brains respond during times of pressure and provides participants with tools in which you can utilise to help regulate their nervous system. A short, guided meditation will be included at the end to experience the process of regulation.
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