The Board, Council and Committees within the structure of the College. (Updated July 2024)
+ The Trustee Board
As of 04 October 2022, the board comprises the following members:
President: Dr Adrian Boyle
Dean: Professor Simon Carley
Treasurer: James Gagg (from 25 January 2024)
Vice-President (Membership): Salwa Malik
Chair of Lay Group: Derek Prentice (from 25 January 2024)
Council Trustees: Maya Naravi (from 10 April 2024) & Nida Suri (from December 2024)
Member Trustees: Steve Jones, Fiona Burton (from 9 February 2024)
Lay Trustees: Ian Ailes, Mary Hockaday, Palvi Shah.
The quorum for Council shall be the President (or nominated Deputy) plus three other officers and 8 elected or appointed members of Council.
The composition of the Council is described in the Ordinances. The Term of Office for Council Members is 3 years.
Title | Appointment requirements |
President – Chair |
President of the Royal College who is elected by the Fellows and Members. The President shall be the Chair or, in his/her absence, the President Elect (or Immediate Past President) is to chair the meeting. |
President Elect (or Immediate Past President) | Elected by the Fellows and Members of RCEM |
Registrar | Elected by RCEM Council |
Dean | Elected by RCEM Council |
Treasurer | Elected by RCEM Council |
Vice Presidents (2) | Elected by RCEM Council |
Chair – Education and Examinations committee | Dean |
Chair – Training Standards Committee | Served as Honorary Secretary, nominated by the TSC – appointed by Council |
Chair – Service Delivery Cluster | Vice Presidents |
Chair – Research Committee | Nominated by the R&P committee, appointed by Council |
Chair of the QEC | Nominated by Committee, appointed by Council |
Director of CPD | Appointed by Council |
Director of Revalidation | Appointed by Council |
Chair – International Committee | Vice President |
Chairs – Regional Boards in England | Elected by Fellows in the region |
Vice Presidents – National Boards of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland | Elected by Fellows in the relevant country |
Chair – EMTA | Elected by the members in training |
Chair – EMSAS | Elected by the members of the Royal College working as SAS doctors |
Chair – ACP Forum | Elected by Associate Members (Advanced Clinical Practitioners) |
Lay representative to Council | Appointed by Council |
Representatives of other Royal Colleges
non-voting members |
Invitation by Council |
Representative of the Faculty of Emergency Nursing
non-voting member |
Invitation by Council |
Representative from the Faculty of Pre-hospital care | Invitation by Council |
Chief Executive non-voting | By appointment |
Royal College Office Manager (Ex-Officio) | The Royal College Office Manager is an ex-officio member and will attend the meeting to record the minutes as required |
Chief Examiner |
As defined in the Ordinances:
a) Meetings are held at least 4 times a year.
b) The quorum is 12 voting members of Council of which at least 3 shall be Officers.
The quorum for the Executive Committee must have the minimum attending:
Membership of this Committee comprises:
The President shall be the Chair or, in his/her absence, the President Elect (or Immediate Past President) is to chair the meeting.
Ex-officio members will be invited to relevant meetings, but they will not have any voting rights.
Meetings are held between 6 and 10 times per year. Where possible they will be arranged to coincide with other Royal College committee meetings, such as those of other major committees, and if members are unable to attend, they should be encouraged to join the meeting by teleconferencing.
The objective of the Corporate Governance Committee is to develop, monitor and advise on corporate governance of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and to ensure compliance with Charity Law and the recommendations of the Charity Commission.
Chair is appointed by Council from amongst the membership of the Lay Group and who must not be a paid employee or Officer of the College. In his/her absence the Registrar shall be Chair. Other members are as follows:
Council delegates the following powers to the Committee:
Finance
Human Resources
Governance
Meetings are held at least three times a year. Where possible they should be arranged to coincide with other committee meetings, such as those of other major committees, and if members are unable to attend they should be encouraged to join the meeting by teleconferencing.
The Corporate Governance Committee reports to the Council. The Chair of the meeting shall make appropriate arrangements for keeping records of the meetings.
The quorum shall be 3 Members at least one of which should not be an Executive Committee member.
The committee is chaired by a Lay Chair and is responsible for assuring the administrative functions of the College, financial governance and responsible for HR issues within the College.
The Remuneration Sub-Committee is a Sub-Committee of the Board. It shall have the following terms of reference:
Chairs responsible for leading EM in that country and providing advice to Health departments and hospitals, advice to members.
National Board | Post | Incumbent | Contact Email |
---|---|---|---|
Northern Ireland | Vice President | Dr Russell McLaughlin | |
Vice VP | Dr Michael Perry | ||
Scotland | Vice President | Dr Fiona Hunter | |
Vice VP | Dr Jayne McLaren | ||
Wales | Vice President | Dr Rob Perry | |
Vice VP | Vacant |
The chairs are elected from the fellowship and membership of the region and sit on the Council. Responsible for leading EM in that area and providing advice to Trusts and Commissioners, advice to members.
Region | Post | Incumbent | Contact Email |
---|---|---|---|
East of England | Regional Chair | Dr Nidi Y Suri | eofechair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Dr Roopashree Balasundaram | ||
East Midlands | Regional Chair | Dr Venkateswara Kotamraju | EMChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Vacant | ||
London | Regional Co-Chair | Dr Samira Akberali | LondonChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Regional Co-Chair | Vacant | ||
North East | Regional Chair | Mr Alex J A Johnston | NEChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Dr Cara Hall, Consultant | ||
North West | Regional Chair | Dr Sanjoy Bhattacharyya | NWChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Dr Sukbhir Bhullar | ||
South Central | Regional Chair | Dr Akshaya Niranjan | aks279@gmail.com |
Vice Chair | Vacant | ||
South East Coast | Regional Chair | Dr Sarah Roberta Honess | SEC.Chair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Vacant | ||
South West | Regional Chair | Dr Luke Ball | SWChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Vacant | ||
West Midlands | Regional Chair | Dr Susan Elizabeth Dorrian | WMChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Dr Mark Anthony Ragoo | ||
Yorkshire & Humber | Regional Chair | Miss Sally-Anne Wilson | YHChair@rcem.ac.uk |
Vice Chair | Vacant |
+ Quality In Emergency Care Committee (QECC)
The Quality in Emergency Care Committee (QECC) is part of the RCEM Quality Cluster. A small steering group of Sub-Committee Chairs meets twice a year and there are two large committee meetings each year for all QECC members. The Quality in Emergency Care Committee consists of a number of diverse Sub-Committees, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Professional Advisory Groups (PAGs), as shown below.
Chair: James France.
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
The objective of this Committee is to coordinate all service design and delivery policy on behalf of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
Chair: Rachel Hoey
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
+ Best Practice Sub-Committee
Aims and Objectives
Chair: Dr Paul Hunt
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
Aims and Objectives
Chair: Dr Sally-Anne Wilson
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
Further information
Aims and Objectives
Chairs: Simin Nikou and Dale Kirkwood
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
The Mental Health Sub-Committee advises the Royal College of Emergency Medicine on improving the care of patients presenting with mental health needs to Emergency Departments. Operating under the Quality in Emergency Care Committee (QECC), the sub-committee is responsible for developing and delivering a national strategy and work programme focused on raising standards of mental health care within emergency settings.
The group brings together emergency medicine clinicians and mental health professionals to share expertise, review current challenges, and promote best practice in the emergency care of people experiencing mental health crises. Its remit includes identifying key areas for quality improvement, influencing national service development, and supporting Emergency Departments to meet the needs of patients in distress compassionately, safely, and effectively.
The sub-committee also engages with external stakeholders such as NHS England, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and other statutory bodies to shape policy and guidance affecting the care of mental health patients in the ED. This includes contributing to national consultations and ensuring emergency medicine is represented in system-wide mental health planning.
The sub-committee welcomes collaboration and shared learning from clinicians working on the frontline to improve patient outcomes and experience.
The group meets regularly and welcomes input from ED professionals engaged in EPRR.
Further Information: Care of patients with Mental Health Problems in the Emergency Department
Chair: Dr Mark Buchanan – MHChair@rcem.ac.uk
Secretariat: Hollie Shooter – Quality@rcem.ac.uk
Aims and Objectives
Chair: Dr Shane Clark
RCEM secretariat support:quality@rcem.ac.uk
Aims and Objectives: The PHEM PAG exists to ensure that pre-hospital emergency medicine interests are represented within all relevant aspects of the College structure / business, and that PHEM continues to be recognised and developed as a sub-speciality. We provide advice and support on all aspects of pre-hospital emergency care to the College and its members, and help facilitate internal and external requests for representation on matters or documents relating to pre-hospital emergency care, ensuring that the College membership is fairly represented and is engaged.
Co-Chairs: Dr Amar Mashru and Dr Toby Edmunds
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
About Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine:
Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine is a sub-specialty of Emergency Medicine. Trainees in Emergency Medicine can apply for PHEM training in their ST4 year. PHEM training programme places are available through national recruitment and consist of 12 months whole time equivalent training during ST5 year or above and including post-CCT. There are a small number of one-year pure PHEM posts nationally and the majority are blended training with a mix of EM/PHEM shifts (in total, one year of EM and one year of PHEM) over a two year OOPT. LTFT PHEM training is also available.
It is recommended that career advice is sought early for trainees who are interested in sub-specialty training in PHEM. Trainees can get more information from the IBTPHEM website or by contacting the regional PHEM TPD for their region/neighbouring region or a representative from the PHEM Trainees Association.
Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine recruitment
National applications for August start PHEM sub-specialty training open in the September the year before.
There are also national opportunities to undertake PHEM as an OOPE Fellowship. Posts are advertised by individual PHEM organisations.
RCEM Curriculum and Prehospital Emergency Medicine: A Guide for Trainees and Trainers
Experience undertaken in the prehospital environment is likely to benefit training in Emergency Medicine in a number of complementary domains described across the breadth of the RCEM Curriculum 2021. Our RCEM Curriculum and Prehospital Emergency Medicine: A Guide for Trainees and Trainers was published in June 2021.
RCEM recommendations for maintenance of competency in PHEM after completion of subspecialty training
EM trainees who have completed PHEM sub-specialty training should be released to undertake PHEM shifts in order to maintain competency and currency before CCT. This should not detract from their EM training and trainees should meet with their Educational Supervisor to ensure a safe working pattern and local service provision. The TSC recommends that 1-2 PHEM shifts are allocated per month (or pro rata for LTFT) from the ED clinical time. Some flexibility will be required as to how these shifts are spread over the year, recognising that the majority of PHEM shifts are 12 hours long and may not be offered on fixed days.
In addition, educational development time (EDT) hours can be used to attend PHEM educational opportunities. Military trainees who have completed PHEM sub-specialty training should have the same provision of PHEM shifts from their ED clinical time. PHEM shifts provide excellent opportunity to develop in a range of core emergency medicine skills. Trainees can evidence any relevant competencies in the RCEM curriculum during their PHEM sub-specialty training year or during their PHEM shifts.
PHEM-PAG, October 2023 (approved by TSC)
See more about this Specialty in A Guide for Trainees and Trainers
The Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Professional Advisory Group (EPRR PAG) provides expert advice to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine on all matters relating to emergency preparedness in the UK’s emergency departments. The group supports the development and implementation of national guidance on EPRR, including planning for major incidents, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) events, and other specialist emergencies.
The group works closely with NHS England (NHS Resilience Emergency Capabilities Unit (ECU)), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) and other national stakeholders to ensure that the voice of emergency medicine is reflected in EPRR policy and guidance. It supports the College by reviewing and preparing specialty input on national EPRR documents, frameworks and exercises, offering practical insight from clinicians working in frontline emergency care.
The EPRR PAG also aims to build a strong community of EPRR leads across UK Emergency Departments, establishing a system to share information quickly and effectively. This includes creating communication links across a multi-professional network and fostering collaboration to improve preparedness, response coordination, and organisational learning from past incidents.
The group meets regularly and welcomes input from ED professionals engaged in EPRR.
Further Information: Emergency Preparedness and Resilience and Response PDF
Chair: Dr Alison Walker – EPRRPAG.Chair@rcem.ac.uk
Secretariat: Hollie Shooter – quality@rcem.ac.uk
Aims and Objectives:
Chair: Dr Rachael Morris
RCEM secretariat support:quality@rcem.ac.uk
Aims and Objectives
Chair: Dr Federico Fedel
RCEM secretariat support:quality@rcem.ac.uk
Aims and Objectives
Chair: Dr Rizwan Riyaz
RCEM secretariat support:quality@rcem.ac.uk
+ Sustainable Working Practices Committee
Creating successful, satisfying and sustainable careers in Emergency Medicine
Chairs: Rucha Phutane and Dr Emma Cox
The Sustainable Working Practices Committee (SWPC) is focussed on improving sustainability of the working life of emergency physicians and improving the working conditions in the workforce in Emergency Medicine.
SWPC have created guidance in vital areas such as the RespectED anti-bullying campaign, the Wellness Compendium, and supporting wellbeing though difficult situations such as covid and the death of a colleague.
The Committee have also produced the excellent EMPower suite of guidance, which includes:
Devise a strategy and work programme for approval by the Clinical Leadership and Service Design committee focussed on improving the care for emergency care patients presenting at the Emergency Department to SDEC units.
The Same Day Emergency Care SIG reports to the Clinical Leadership and Service Design Committee.
RCEM secretariat support: quality@rcem.ac.uk
See also Same Day Emergency Care on the Catch Up With on Demand Events Page
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has resources available for Emergency Departments on ambulatory care.
This toolkit has been written primarily for the Emergency Physician aiming to develop ambulatory care from the ED. It requires strong clinical leadership, regular access to senior decision makers, a clear focus on multidisciplinary team development and close collaborative working with all relevant specialty colleagues.
The Council has established the Lay Advisory Group (LAG) to provide advice from a lay perspective on the standards of care and training in Emergency Medicine.
+ Lay GroupThe Council has established the Lay Advisory Group (LAG) to provide advice from a lay perspective on the standards of care and training in Emergency Medicine.
The Lay Advisory Group has an advisory role and reports to the Council. The LAG remit covers the following:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
policy@rcem.ac.uk
+ Academic Committee
The Academic Committee is strategic in outlook, providing a forum to facilitate and encourage the development of academic strategy and discuss and promote academic developments, whether internally driven or externally.
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
This committee coordinates all activities aimed at developing, promoting and monitoring careers information for students and doctors in training grades on behalf of the College.
Co-Chairs: Anna Buckley and Duncan Carmichael
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information and resources:
Considering a career in EM
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information and resources:
Aims and Objectives:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
Aims and Objectives:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
Aims and Objectives:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
Aims and Objectives:
In order to support our members and fellows involved in global emergency medicine work, we would like to connect with you to gain insight into your work, to help with networking between teams and get you involved in setting the agenda for the committee. See below for contact details.
Chair: Jason Long
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
Connect with us via:
To develop emergency medicine research capacity, opportunities within academic emergency medicine, and to showcase high-quality emergency medicine research at every opportunity.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has declared that research is one of its top priorities – the RCEM Research Committee is tasked with facilitating this vision. The committee helps to draw attention to the complex and sometimes overlooked sphere of Emergency Medicine research, raising its profile and providing funding to drive engagement within the research community.
Chair: Professor Matt Reed – research@rcem.ac.uk
RCEM Secretariat support
Contact – policy@rcem.ac.uk
Further information:
The Training Standards Committee has responsibility for translating the Royal College’s aims for specialty training in EM into working systems throughout the UK.
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information and guidance:
13 to 23 January 2025
Display event – ARCP Externality Booking
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
Aims and Objectives:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
The Curriculum Sub-Committee is a standing committee of the Royal College. It reports to the Education Committee, via the Chair of the Curriculum Sub-Committee.
The responsibilities of the Sub-Committee shall be:
The Chair may co-opt from time to time representatives from other groups including, but not limited to, Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine Committee, Safety Committee, e-Learning.
The founding Chair will be appointed by the Dean for a term of three years. In future, the Chair will be appointed by competitive application by the Dean, Chair of TSC and Deputy Chief Executive (or nominated deputies) and be ratified by Council. The Chair must be a Fellow in good standing of the Royal College, be an active NHS trainer in Emergency Medicine, have prior experience in the development of the Royal College Curriculum, such as a key role in a RCEM CAG submission, or completed a term as member of the Curriculum committee.
The term of office of each member will be three years with the possibility of one further term if approved by the Education Committee (and if chair, ratified by Council)
The Committee meets four times per year. The Committee is administratively supported within the Royal College.
The Chair (or a nominated deputy) is required to represent the Royal College at external meetings relating to the curriculum.
Aims and Objectives:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
+ Emergency Medicine Trainees Association (EMTA)
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
EMTA web page
Aims and Objectives:
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information:
EMSAS web page
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further information: ACP Forum web page
Chair: Dr Kirsty Challen – GECChair@rcem.ac.uk
RCEM Secretariat support: thomas.boothman@rcem.ac.uk
Further Information:
+ Honours Committee
The objective of the Honours Committee is to coordinate matters relating to national and College honours on behalf of the Royal College. The Honours Committee reports to the Council.
Chair:
RCEM Secretariat support:
Further Information:
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee was established to address inequalities and discrimination in the speciality of Emergency Medicine. The Committee was focused on racial inequalities to begin with but is working towards a wider remit in examining inequalities and discrimination against other social groups.
To date, the Committee has influenced the PPE agenda on a national scale, carried out a survey on member’s experiences during the second wave and provided advice and guidance to the wider College on matters relating to equality and diversity.
Co-Chairs
Dr Sivanthi Sivanadarajah and Dr David Chung: edichairs@rcem.ac.uk
RCEM Secretariat support: thomas.boothman@rcem.ac.uk
Further information: