RCGP Northern Ireland
About us
RCGP NI aims to represent its members working in Northern Ireland and to address local issues and aspirations. It also aims to influence the work of the Royal College and governmental policy, where appropriate, in order to try to ensure that Northern Ireland members’ views are heard.
RCGP Northern Ireland represents over 1200 members in Northern Ireland, accounting for over 80% of all Northern Ireland GPs, and has links with over 600 members in the Republic of Ireland Faculty.
Activities of RCGP Northern Ireland include:
- Representation on health committees and working groups
- Provision of clinical leads
- Political engagement
- Joint liaisons and working strategies (including policy development) with other professional bodies
- Consultation responses
- Set up and facilitation of working groups in areas such as End of Life Care, Quality, Patient Participation and Membership Development
- Development and implementation of RCGP Quality Programme
- Promotion of the GP Foundation and support of Practice Managers
- Provision of CPD courses and events
History
The Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland was established in 1953, one year after the College in the UK. A Northern Ireland Faculty was created to take forward RCGP’s interests in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Faculty was so productive that on 1 April 2003 it progressed to become a Council.
RCGP Northern Ireland Council
The RCGP Northern Ireland Council is made up of elected member GPs, appointed lay representatives and representatives of a number of pertinent organisations. Council members are elected from the general Northern Ireland membership who, as far as possible, represent a geographic spread of the whole of the country. These members give voluntarily of their time to further the objectives of the College in Northern Ireland.
RCGP Northern Ireland Council meetings take place 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 at least one week in advance of the meeting to Bronagh Monaghan at bmonaghan@rcgp.org.uk
Northern Ireland Council Executive Committee
RCGP Northern Ireland Council Executive Committee is a sub group of RCGP Northern Ireland Council and includes the positions of Chair, Deputy Chair Policy, Deputy Chair Finance and Executive Members for Quality, Education and Professional Development, Patients and Public and Membership.
The RCGP NI working groups feed into the RCGP Northern Ireland Council Executive Committee who ensure that RCGP Northern Ireland Council are kept fully informed of ongoing activity by the working groups via council papers or, where time frames prohibit, by email.
RCGP Northern Ireland Newsletter
RCGP NI produce a bi-monthly e-newsletter which keeps members informed of its work as well as upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved.
Committees and Groups of RCGP Northern Ireland
Quality Committee
The RCGP Northern Ireland Quality Committee is a sub group of the RCGP Northern Ireland Council. The Quality Committee meets four times per year to:
- Take forward existing and new quality initiatives on behalf of the Northern Ireland Council
- Manage and develop quality initiatives to improve the standard of patient care and services in GP practices
- Influence activity and policy in Northern Ireland that impacts on the quality and standards of primary care
The current work of the Committee includes
- The development of a Model Practice Framework as part of the 10 Year Strategy with the British Medical Association Northern Ireland
- The promotion of the Quality Awards programme in Northern Ireland
- The review and subsequent rollout of the RCGP Out of Hours Accreditation in the Republic of Ireland in partnership with the Irish College of GPs
Download the Practice Framework book [PDF]
To find out more about the work of the Quality Committee contact Ashleigh Simpson at ashleigh.simpson@rcgp.org.uk or on 028 9023 0055.
RCGP NI Members Forum
The newly established Members Forum brings together representatives from across the membership spectrum in Northern Ireland and is not only reflective of geographical spread of GPs throughout the province, but also of the wide range of ages and stages within a GPs lifetime and associated needs. Membership is also reflective of the sessional and rural GP population within Northern Ireland as well as the educational needs of GPs.
The role of the Forum is to support all members throughout their careers and act as the members’ voice. It provides a platform for the College to respond to issues affecting membership in Northern Ireland and to develop and share new initiatives at area and Northern Ireland level including:
If you would like more information on the Members' Forum please contact Lindsay Wallace at lwallace@rcgp.org.uk
RCGPNI has a very active Fellowship programme with a number of members receiving their Fellowship since the introduction of the new pathway. If you would like to nominate a colleague for this esteemed accolade please contact Lindsay Wallace at lwallace@rcgp.org.uk or on 02890230055
- Associates in Training. RCGP NI engage with Associates in Training via a number of mediums including a bi-annual publication and educational events specifically targeted towards their needs including an annual Life as a Locum Event in March.
- First Five. RCGPNI have recently set up a Facebook page specifically for First Five members. If you would like to join please contact Lindsay Wallace at lwallace@rcgp.org.uk .The College also held a half day educational event in March targeted specifically at the needs of First Five members. If you have any suggestions of topics you would be interested in for 2012/2013 events please contact Lindsay at the above email address.
- Continuing Professional Development. RCGPNI has an extensive educational programme for 2012/13 with concessional rates for members. Please use the events search to find a course for you. Online booking is now available.
Links to information on other RCGP Northern Ireland groups and activity
Contact us
Royal College of GPs Northern Ireland
4 Cromac Place
Belfast
BT7 27B
Email: NICouncil@rcgp.org.uk
Tel: 028 9023 0055
Fax: 028 9024 5577