Lay Member

Make a difference to Emergency Medicine care

If you have an interest in what happens in an A&E department then your help could be invaluable to us.

We are the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, the single authoritative body for Emergency Medicine in the UK, responsible for setting standards of training, administering examinations and awarding Fellowship and Membership of the College as well as supporting medical professionals to qualify in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.

We are looking for people thoughout the UK to join our Lay Advisory Group (LAG) to help develop the work of the College and bring the patient perspective.

The LAG provides advice from an 'ordinary person' perspective to wider College committees on the standards of care and training in Emergency Medicine, with a remit to highlight areas of patient and carer concern.

Derek Prentice, chair of the LAG, explained: "The College is the leading body for emergency medicine in the UK and sets standards which are replicated across the world. Being a part of the Lay group is an important role in order to give a non-medical perspective on the College's work. It's very rewarding to be able to contribute in this way, to something which impacts society as a whole."

The LAG currently has a number of volunteer vacancies. We are looking for:

• Volunteers who can contribute to four LAG meetings a year - three online, one in person in London
• People who can contribute a Lay group perspective to around four other committee meetings during the year.
• People of all ages and backgrounds, but with no medical background
• People with an interest and awareness of current medical issues, especially those affecting emergency care and the NHS
• People who have no political or commercial conflict of interest
• We have a specific need for applicants from Scotland and Northern Ireland

In return you:

• Contribute towards improving patient and carer experience in an emergency medicine setting
• Receive travel expenses and any overnight accommodation as required

The Royal College has more than 12,00 members who span all clinical roles in Emergency Medicine including doctors, consultants, advanced care practitioners, physicians associates and other roles in Emergency Departments working in the health services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and across the world.

Lay members should not be healthcare professionals currently employed within healthcare services or involved in healthcare policy or clinical decision making at a local or national level.

If you are interested in learning more please email via the button below.