60 for 60
RCGP and VSO Family medicine at the heart of global health
As part of its 60th anniversary year celebrations, the RCGP is launching its first international appeal – 60 for 60.
Based on realising a vision of a ‘world where family medicine excellence is at the heart of healthcare’, the appeal will initially fund work in developing nations in Africa and is being undertaken in conjunction with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).
The ambition is to establish a legacy that empowers local health workers in sub-saharan Africa to deliver and teach effective primary care in their own communities, following programmes run by embedded GPs selected through the project.
Specifically, 60 for 60 aims to improve maternal and child health mortality rates through the provision of sustainable, community-based health promotion and training programmes.
The initial focus for work will be in Sierra Leone, a country recovering from a brutal ten-year civil war and which has some of the worst health indicators in the world.
The fund raising target is £60,000, this is equivalent to just £1.30 from each of the RCGP’s 46,000 members, and would make it possible to start the project.
To make a small donation (of £10 or under), text RCGP60 and the amount £1, £2, £3, £5 or £10 (for example RCGP60 £10) to 70070.
Volunteer applications now open
The RCGP has been working with VSO for the last 18 months to develop genuine primary care placements in Sierra Leone. The 12 month placements begin in September 2013, and will be centred around the training and development of community health workers in the Koinadugu District of Sierra Leone.
For this first pilot year, we are seeking two highly experienced and skilled College Members with the ability and passion to deliver this ambitious initiative.
The placement description has been developed to give further detail on the placement and the type of person we want to recruit. This is an evolving document, and as more detail becomes available we will of course share it with you.
We have a large investment in the development of this placement, and will be contributing heavily to the recruitment process. This means there will be a slightly different recruitment process to that of a standard VSO placement.
Application and Selection
We ask anyone interested in applying to 60for60 to send the application form directly to international@rcgp.org.uk.
The RCGP will conduct the first round of shortlisting, and the candidates with the necessary skills and experience will then be invited to attend a VSO assessment day.
Those who are successful following results of the VSO assessment day will need to attend an interview at the RCGP, following which the first two 60 for 60 volunteers will be selected.
The successful 60 for 60 volunteers will then go through a full VSO training and preparation programme, as other VSO volunteers do.
An overview of the standard VSO recruitment journey can be found on their website. The RCGP will manage stages one and two of the 60 for 60 recruitment process.
All applications should be sent to International@rcgp.org.uk by Monday 8 April.
Important
We only have two 60 for 60 placements and regret not everyone who applies or completes a VSO assessment day can be recruited.
However, VSO has indicated that demand for UK GP volunteers and their skill sets is increasing all the time. If at any stage you are unsuccessful in applying for a 60 for 60 placement you will be able to join a central VSO database where they will do their best to find you suitable placements.
Please indicate that you are a RCGP member.
For further information please contact International@rcgp.org.uk.