Clinical Advisers and College Reps

Help contribute to the RCGP's work

As a membership organisation, it is our job to represent the views and experiences of our members through our work. Gaining insights into the lived experiences of our members is therefore vital to ensure the work we do and the outputs we develop accurately reflect how general practice functions today and the challenges it has to deal with.

Below are details of two programmes the College runs, specifically looking at getting members involved at the heart of the college in clinical policy work.

Clinical Adviser Network

Important, influential and inclusive

Internally facing volunteer role

The Clinical Adviser Network allows you to get involved, use your knowledge, experience and expertise to influence the direction of all RCGP clinically related matters. Attending our quarterly Clinical Adviser meetings gives you the opportunity to meet key members of the RCGP leadership and officer team.

The core function of the network is for you to share your expert generalist voice and ensure that it is heard across the UK policy landscape and that this is reflected in the future of general practice. As a GP, you know what matters and we need your voice to ensure the RCGP reflects what you need in your day-to-day care of patients.

You can participate in ad hoc external consultations, help shape clinical priorities, and engage in small group discussions with lead clinicians within the RCGP. More extensive commitments include year-long participation in guideline committees.

Participation is open to RCGP members practising GPs in the UK, non-practising GPs within three years of retirement, or clinicians with relevant clinical, academic or voluntary experience.

Anyone applying to be an adviser must declare any conflicts of interest to us and cannot use the title to influence external organisations themselves. For successful registrations, there will be a conflict of interest declaration annually and a complete re-registration every three years.

To register to be a Clinical Adviser, please:

  1. Complete the online registration form
  2. Email a short version of your CV to clinicaladvisers@rcgp.org.uk

If you have any queries regarding our Clinical Advisers Network, please email: clinicaladvisers@rcgp.org.uk

College Representative Programme

RCGP College Reps

Externally facing volunteer role

The RCGP College Reps Programme allows more experienced members to represent the College externally with national stakeholders. The role is designed to put members at the forefront of what we do, providing input into national policy development through face-to-face or virtual meetings.

Representatives of the College are predominantly generalists and, therefore, should be able to speak to the experiences of our members working on the ground in general practice. However, our Reps can also register with us any subject matter expertise that we may draw upon for specialist meeting representation, though this specialist knowledge is optional to becoming a College Rep.

From 2023, new representatives are expected to complete time as a Clinical Adviser before becoming a representative. This will allow them to understand the role of the RCGP within national meetings and to meet the key members of the RCGP team that reps will work with during their tenure.

Participation is open to RCGP members practising GPs in the UK, non-practising GPs within three years of retirement, or clinicians with relevant clinical, academic or voluntary experience. The experience level expected would be equivalent to being a faculty board officer/member, fellow of the RCGP, or having volunteered as an RCGP clinical adviser.

Anyone applying to be a Rep must declare any conflicts of interest to us. For successful registrations, there will be a conflict of interest declaration annually and a complete re-registration every three years.

To register to be a College Rep, please:

  1. Complete the online registration form
  2. Email a short version of your CV to collegereps@rcgp.org.uk

If you have any queries regarding our College Reps Programme, please email: collegereps@rcgp.org.uk

Other College Member Communities, Groups and Networks

Alongside the two networks detailed above, the College also hosts many other membership communities, groups and networks that members can get involved with. Without the involvement of our members, we would not be able to ensure that your voices are heard at the highest level and that the role of the expert medical generalist receives the respect and understanding it deserves.

A note to stakeholders

All requests for representation for the College should go through CollegeReps@rcgp.org.uk. Only people attending a meeting or other activity or event with approval from the College for their attendance can be considered as representing the College or the College's views in any capacity. If you are unsure if the attendee to your activity or event has been approved to represent the College, please contact collegereps@rcgp.org.uk.

Current opportunities from the RCGP