Apply to be a member of PatientsVoices@RCoA

Would you like to help improve the quality of care patients receive at the time of surgery and anaesthesia? Do you have either personal experience or a parent/carer’s experience of supporting family members or dependents through surgery? Could you give your views and help doctors and other health care professionals understand a patient perspective?

If this is you, please read the information below and consider applying to join PatientsVoices@RCoA. Please note that this is a volunteer unpaid role, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed or covered in advance. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, communities and sections of society across the UK.

Who are PatientsVoices@RCoA?

We are the group of volunteers who support, advise and influence the Royal College of Anaesthetists by providing patients’ perspectives on its activities.

Our values

• Caring and supportive: we will actively support the College in promoting caring and compassionate patient care.
• Just and fair: we will promote fair and consistent standards throughout the patient’s
  pathway.
• Innovative and progressive: we will seek out opportunities to promote high standards and improvements in patient-centred care.
• Open and responsive: listening carefully and responding positively to challenges will enable
  us to support service providers and healthcare professionals improve the quality of patient care.

You can find out more information about our strategic aims and what we do here. 

Watch this video to hear what current patients have to say – in their own voices – about volunteering with us.

What will I be doing?

PatientsVoices@RCoA members hold important and valued responsibilities, and undertake a range of tasks which can be tailored to their availability, interests, and background. Patient voices:

• ensure the voice of patients is clearly heard across all relevant activities of the College
• work with the College's various committees and boards sometimes holding  a permanent seat on group (alongside lay Trustees, senior College staff, and clinicians)
• advise on, review and provide input into the production of the College’s patient information resources
• attend visits to anaesthetic departments in hospitals to assess what care might be like for a patient, and contribute to their accreditation and improvement
• contribute articles to the College publications
• contribute to the production of anaesthesia guidelines which ensure good standards of anaesthetic care for patients
• contribute to responses to consultations on issues which impact on patient care
• support the College's research projects
• provide input into College examinations and contribute to question setting, with a particular emphasis on doctor/patient communication
• speak at College events and external, third-party or online talks to ensure the patient perspective is amplified and considered.

You will not be expected to do all of these things and if you are appointed we will agree together what you will be able to commit to doing.

What is the time commitment?

PatientsVoices@RCoA meet three times a year and have an away day once a year, with a mixture of in person and online meetings. You would be expected to attend these meetings and to also make time to attend other meetings and activities you have agreed to contribute to in other areas of College work. On average we expect a patient voice to spend about four hours a week on College activities.

Members of PatientsVoices@RCoA serve for an initial term of three years and are eligible to continue for an additional term up to a total of six years of membership.

What do you expect from me? 

• To uphold our values as detailed in our strategic plan.
• To see things from a patient’s or carer’s viewpoint.
• To have a balanced approach over sometimes emotive issues.
• To work with others.
• To be open to different points of view and ways of doing things.
• Have an interest in the NHS and delivery of high standards of patient care.
• Be willing to engage and commit to the work.
• Access to email and internet to join virtual meetings. The College uses Microsoft Teams. Training on how to use the platform can be provided if required.

What can I expect from you?

• A comprehensive induction, and training as required.
• A buddy to help you get settled in the role and understand how the College works.
• Regular check-ins to see how you are doing and what we can do to support you.
• The opportunity to gain confidence and add valuable experience to your CV.
• The opportunity to gain understanding of how the healthcare system works in the UK.
• The chance to work with senior doctors and make a difference to patients’ experience of the NHS.
• The opportunity to meet new people and socialise.
• A flexible approach to engaging with us, with opportunities tailored to your life circumstances.

How do I apply?

Part one: share your answers to these questions via the webform below. 

1. Please tell us about yourself and what motivates you to apply for this role.
2. What is your experience, either personally or as a parent/carer, of anaesthesia and surgery?
3. What is your experience of sharing views or ideas with groups of people?
4. What would you like to learn or take from your role on PatientsVoices@RCoA?
5. Why do you think equality, diversity, and inclusion are important to supporting patients, and improving healthcare?

Part two: if you are selected to move onto the next stage, we will arrange a phone/video conversation where we will ask you some more questions about your experience, skills and hopes linked to the role.

If you have any questions or you would like to discuss the role informally with someone, please get in touch at patientsvoices@rcoa.ac.uk.