Royal College of Emergency Medicine Menu Menu

Board and Committee Structure

Click on the graphic to view a larger pdf version of the Board & Committee structure.

Trustee Board & Council

+ The Trustee Board

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 & Anne Weaver
Member Trustees: Steve Jones
Lay Trustees: Ian Ailes, Mary Hockaday, Palvi Shah.

+ Council

Council

Remit of the Council

Objectives

  1. To be the governing body of the Royal College
  2. To approve applications for membership of the Royal College
  3. To make decisions on behalf of the Royal College on matters relating to Royal College business
  4. To oversee all work of the Committees of the Royal College and delegate work as necessary in the fulfilment of the Charitable objects
  5. Delegate relevant powers to Committees and individuals as described in the Ordinances (Article 6.3 of the Ordinances)
  6. Create Byelaws and Regulations for the business of the Royal College.

Quorum

The quorum for Council shall be the President (or nominated Deputy) plus three other officers and 8 elected or appointed members of Council.

Membership

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 & Publications 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
Members in Training Representative to Council Elected by the members in training
Staff and Associate Specialist  Representative to Council Elected by the members of the Royal College working as SAS doctors
Advanced Clinical Practitioners Representative to Council Elected by Associate Members (Advanced Clinical Practitioners)
Chairperson Corporate Governance Committee Appointed by Council
Lay representative to Council Appointed by Council
Representatives of other Royal Colleges Invitation by Council
Representative of the Faculty of Emergency Nursing Invitation by Council
Representative from the Faculty of Pre-hospital care Invitation by Council
Chief Executive By appointment
Deputy Chief Executive 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

Responsibilities

  1. Direct and monitor the work of the Committees and of the Royal College
  2. Receive reports from committees of the Royal College and the President and Chief Executive
  3. Determine policy and strategy for the Royal College
  4. Respond to external developments and influences and provide Royal College position papers and advice for members
  5. Ensure timely communication with members on developments within the Royal College
  6. By resolution amend the Byelaws and Regulations for the Royal College within the power of the Charter and Ordinances
  7. Ensure elections for Officers and Council Members and approve appointments
  8. Approve nominations for membership and approve the removal of membership rights where appropriate
  9. Monitor the financial status, investment strategy and risk management of Royal College, including receiving reports from the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and Treasurer as and when required
  10. Make recommendations on the level of subscriptions for members

Meetings

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 current Council members are as follows:

President: Dr Adrian Boyle
Vice-President (International): Dr Jason Long
Vice-President (Quality & Service Design): Dr Ian Higginson
Vice-President (Education): Dr Maya Naravi
Vice-President (Membership): Dr Salwa Malik
Dean: Professor Simon Carley
Treasurer: Mr Scott R Hepburn
Chief Executive: Gordon Miles

+ Nominations and Appointments Committee

Nominations and Appointments Committee

Awaiting updated information.

+ Executive Committee

Executive Committee

Remit of the Executive Committee

Objectives

  1. To co-ordinate the work of the Royal College and to develop policy and strategy for discussion and approval by Council
  2. To act in accordance with the policy, strategy and budget agreed by Council to ensure that Council decisions are enacted, including:
  3. To consider and agree financial business cases for amendments in the budget;
  4. To arrange for responses to communications from the membership, enable swift reaction to events, communications and consultations from other agencies;
  5. To support the Chief Executive and staff with the operations of the College.
  6. To provide the Council with relevant information to support strategic decision making

The quorum for the Executive Committee must have the minimum attending:

  • President or President Elect or Past President
  • One of the Vice Presidents
  • At least 3 other Committee members, one of whom should be a Committee Chair.

Membership

Membership of this Committee comprises:

  • President – Chair
  • President Elect (or Immediate Past President)
  • Registrar (Vice President – Membership)
  • Dean
  • TreasurerM
  • Vice Presidents (2)
  • Vice President – Wales
  • Vice President – Scotland
  • Vice President – Northern Ireland
  • Vice President – Policy
  • Chair of Research Committee
  • Chair of Quality in Emergency Care Committee
  • Chief Executive
  • Deputy Chief Executive
  • Office Manager (Ex-Officio Committee Secretary)
  • Any additional co-opted member as authorised by Council

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.

Powers delegated by Council

  • To action powers delegated by Council
  • Assist the Chief Executive with the co-ordination and implementation of the work of the Royal College to implement Council decisions and policies
  • Develop policy and strategy for discussion and approval by Council
  • Ensure that Council policy, strategy and decisions are implemented
  • Ensure swift response to communications from the membership
  • Enable effective responses to events, communications and consultations from other agencies
  • Deal with media enquiries (through nominated members of the Executive)
  • Act on advice from the Corporate Governance committee in matters of governance
  • To make spending decisions within with the budgets approved by Council, having consideration for the recommendations of the Treasurer and any advice from the Corporate Governance Committee.
  • Receive regular reports from the Treasurer, make decisions on virement requests and business cases for additional spend up to £50,000 per item, subject to any agreement or commitment being advised to the next Council meeting
  • Receive regular reports on Royal College activities
  • Provide advice to Committee Chairs and Officers
  • Organise elections
  • Provide information to the Council for strategic decisions to be taken

Meetings

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.

+ Guidelines for Provision of Emergency Medicine Services GPEMS Project Steering Group

Guidelines for Provision of Emergency Medicine Services GPEMS Project Steering Group

Awaiting full details

+ Corporate Governance Committee

Corporate Governance Committee

Objectives

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.

Membership

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:

  • Registrar
  • Treasurer
  • President
  • President Elect
  • Immediate Past President
  • Vice Presidents x 2
  • Dean
  • Ordinary Fellow(s) (maximum of two)
  • Chief Executive (ex officio)
  • Deputy Chief Executive (ex officio)
  • Head of Finance and IT (ex officio)
  • Member of the Lay Advisory Group

Responsibilities and delegated powers

Council delegates the following powers to the Committee:

Finance

  • Monitor income/expenditure
  • Make recommendations on fees and subscriptions
  • Make recommendations to the membership on investments (with appropriate professional advice)
  • Review and assess business plans for current activities and future developments
  • Ensure proper auditing of accounts
  • Monitor and manage financial risk
  • Take responsibility for decisions made regarding the building, lease, facilities management and insurance.

Human Resources

  • Advise the Chief Executive and Registrar on task analysis, job descriptions, person specifications, grading (with appropriate advice)
  • Ensure compliance with employment law
  • Ensure compliance with race, equal opportunity, disability and age discrimination legislation
  • Develop and update employment policies on sickness, grievance and disciplinary matters
  • Receive reports and recommendations from the Remuneration Sub-Committee
  • Agree the terms and conditions of employment and receive reports from the Remuneration Sub-Committee
  • Assist the Chief Executive and Registrar in employment matters.

Governance issues

  • To maintain the risk register of the Royal College and advise the Council on matters relating to corporate risk
  • To review the Register of Interests and make recommendations to Council as appropriate for good governance
  • To undertake to investigate any incidents relating to the administration of the Royal College
  • To ensure appropriate corporate liabilities are identified
  • To provide advice and senior input into matter relating to the administration and office activities

Meetings

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.

+ Property & Income Strategy Working Group

Property & Income Strategy Working Group

Details to follow.

+ Remuneration Sub-Committee

Remuneration Sub-Committee

The Remuneration Sub-Committee is a Sub-Committee of the Corporate Governance Committee.  It shall have the following terms of reference:

Constitution

  • The Council has established a sub-committee of the Corporate Governance Committee known as the Remuneration Sub-Committee.
  • The Terms of Reference for the Sub-Committee outlined below are defined by the Council and may be amended by the Council at any time.
  • The Sub-Committee has an advisory role and reports to the Corporate Governance Committee. The Sub-Committee remit covers decision making on the following:
  1. staff remuneration;
  2. President’s remuneration;
  3. Chief Executive’s remuneration
  4. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine Expenses Policy

Membership

  • The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the appointment of members to the Remuneration Sub-Committee, for setting the term of members’ appointments and for the revocation of any such appointments.
  • The Remuneration Committee shall comprise not less than three members. These shall be the Treasurer, the Registrar and a member of the Lay Group.
  • The quorum shall be two Committee members one of whom should be the Committee Chairman unless he/she is unable to attend. All members of the Committee shall be advised of the business to be transacted at any meeting even if they are unable to be present.
  • No one other than members of the Sub-Committee is entitled to be present at Committee meetings except that the Chief Executive Officer shall normally be in attendance as a non-voting member except when issues regarding his or her own remuneration are discussed.
  • The Chair shall appoint one of the members to act as secretary to the Sub-Committee and shall produce such papers and minutes of the Sub-Committee’s meetings as are appropriate, in a timely manner.
  • The Remuneration Sub-Committee is authorised by the Council to obtain professional advice subject to budget approval.

Regional & National Boards

National Boards for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Wales Chair (elected), head(s) of training, trainee rep, NCCG rep. Responsible for leading EM in that country and providing advice to Health departments and hospitals, advice to members. Regional Boards 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.

+ National Board: Northern Ireland

National Board: Northern Ireland

Vice President: Dr Russell McLaughlin
Vice VP: Dr Michael Perry

+ National Board: Scotland

National Board: Scotland

Vice President: Dr John-Paul Loughrey
Vice VP: Dr Fiona Hunter

+ National Board: Wales

National Board: Wales

Vice President: Dr Suresh K Gopala Pillai
Vice VP: Rob Perry

+ Regional Board: East of England

Regional Board: East of England

Regional Chair: Dr Nida Y Suri
Vice-chair: Vacant

+ Regional Board: East Midlands

Regional Board: East Midlands

Regional Chair: Mr Asif Malik
Vice Chair: Vacant

+ Regional Board: London

Regional Board: London

Regional Co-chair: Dr Samira Akberali
Regional Co-chair: Professor Tim Harris

+ Regional Board: North East

Regional Board: North East

Regional Chair: Mr Alex J A Johnston
Vice Chair: Dr Cara Hall, Consultant

+ Regional Board: North West

Regional Board: North West

Regional Chair: Dr Andrew Ashton
Vice Chair: Sanjoy Bhattacharyya

+ Regional Board: South Central

Regional Board: South Central

Regional Chair: Vacant
Vice Chair: Vacant

+ Regional Board: South East Coast

Regional Board: South East Coast

Regional Chair: Dr Sarah Roberta Honess
Vice Chair: Vacant

+ Regional Board: South West

Regional Board: South West

Regional Chair: Dr James W Gagg
Vice Chair: Dr Luke Ball

+ Regional Board: West Midlands

Regional Board: West Midlands

Regional Chair: Dr Susan Elizabeth Dorrian
Vice Chair: Dr Mark Anthony Ragoo

+ Regional Board: Yorkshire and Humber

Regional Board: Yorkshire and Humber

Regional Chair: Dr Sally-Anne Wilson
Vice Chair: Vacant

The Quality Cluster

+ Invited Service Review Committee

Invited Service Review Committee

This committee is formed as required.

+ Informatics Committee

Informatics Committee

Definitions

Informatics: The collection, analysis and use of data; the use of information technology and its governance in Emergency Medicine and related disciplines.

Casemix: The measures of acuity, resource use, costs and quality in Emergency Medicine and related disciplines.

Funding: The mechanism by which Emergency Medicine and related disciplines are funded in the UK and Ireland.

Objectives

  • To lead and support the development of effective Informatics in Emergency Medicine in the UK and Ireland.
  • To advise and liaise with the National Health Service and linked bodies, the Royal Royal Colleges and other national bodies regarding Informatics, Casemix and Funding in Emergency Medicine.
  • To work with other committees of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine to develop standards, guidance and measures for Emergency Medicine and related disciplines.
  • To communicate the work of the Informatics Committee to the Fellows and Members of the Royal College through the Informatics section of the Royal College website and by liaison.

Membership

  • The chair of the Informatics Committee will be a current consultant in Emergency Medicine. Applications will be invited by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the most suitable applicant will be appointed by the Royal College Council.
  • Membership of the Informatics Committee will be 4 – 12 co-opted members, in selecting members priority will be given to those who have related expertise to bring to the committee. These co-opted members may include doctors in training, nursing or other representatives, as well as consultants in Emergency Medicine.

Responsibilities

The Committee reports to Council.
The Chair of the Informatics Committee will:

  • Attend Royal College meetings as requested.
  • Chair Committee teleconferences or face-to-face meetings at least twice a year.
  • Coordinate the development of Informatics in Emergency Medicine.
  • Ensure the Royal College is appropriately represented on national bodies that relate to Informatics, Casemix or Funding.
  • Provide verbal and written reports to the Royal College Council and Royal College Officers as appropriate.

Members of the Informatics Committee will:

  • Work with the committee to deliver its objectives
  • Physically attend at least one Informatics meeting per year.
  • Participate in teleconferences and online workstreams as requested.

Chair: Dr Kirsty Challen

The Informatics Committee seeks to develop case-mix measures and high quality data collection and information technology systems for the specialty of Emergency Medicine.

Objectives

  1. To develop case-mix measures and high quality data collection and information technology systems for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  2. To advise the NHS, DOH, HCC, Connecting for Health, the Royal Colleges and other national bodies who have an interest in data collection and information technology in Emergency Departments.
  3. To develop and maintain the case-mix and information technology section of the College website

Information and resources about case-mix and IT can be found in the Informatics section on the Service Design & Delivery page.

For any enquiries please contact: quality@rcem.ac.uk

+ Clinical Leadership & Service Design Committee

Clinical Leadership & Service Design Committee

The Clinical Leadership & Service Design Committee shall have the following terms of reference:

Remit

The objective of this Committee is to coordinate all service design and delivery policy on behalf of the Royal College.

Membership

The composition of the Service Design and Configuration Committee shall be determined by the Committee Chair, a minimum of 3 persons is to comprise the Committee. At present, it comprises:

Title Appointment requirements Term of Office
Chair Person Specification:
Appointment
In the absence of the chair a nominated deputy is to chair the meeting.
3 years from the first meeting.
Members

Appointment

  • By application process to the Committee Chair
  • Consultant representation will be sought from the English regions, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
  • Nursing representative
  • Trainee representative (nominated by EMTA)
  • SAS representative (nominated by FASSGEM)
  • Lay representative (nominated by LAG)
3 years
Administrator (Ex-Officio) The Administrator is an ex-officio member and must attend the meeting to record the minutes. The Administrator will not have any voting rights. On-Going

The committee may co-opt other members as required subject to budget.

Responsibilities

The committee reports to Council and will support the Royal College with policy development with regard to:

  1. What does a good, modern Emergency Department look like?
  2. What does a good emergency care system look like?

The Committee will take into account:

  • Capability
  • Structure and configuration
  • Process and flow
  • Outcomes

The committee will consider metrics and benchmarking.

Where other Royal College committees and groups have, or are undertaking work: the SDC will simply signpost this work, or draw upon it.

The committee’s output will be geared towards those involved in designing, commissioning, leading and delivering emergency medicine systems, at strategic and operational levels. It will also be geared towards increasing understanding of emergency care systems.

Meetings

These are held at least 3 times a year and at other times as decided by the group. Where possible they should be arranged to coincide with other RCEM committee meetings, and if members are unable to attend they should be encouraged to join the meeting by teleconferencing.

Individual responsibilities

Individuals who are elected to the committee have a personal responsibility. They will be expected to be an ambassador for the service design and configuration work of the Royal College, supporting, explaining and reinforcing the Royal College strategy, particularly around examinations.

Fellows and members may apply to be a member of the committee.


Service Design Committee

Chair: Ed Smith
This committee supports members and fellows involved in emergency department service design and configuration.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of practice and patient care. Designing and delivering services is at the heart of delivering these standards. The Service Design & Configuration Committee works to support this.

Within these pages you can find:

  • Current key issues around service delivery
  • System integration and service reconfiguration
  • Commissioning and funding EDs
  • Delivering quality in the ED
  • Workforce including sustainable working
  • ED design
  • ED crowding (includes operational flow, and exit block)

For any enquiries about service design and delivery please contact Lucas Dalla Vecchia Lucas.Dalla-Vecchia@rcem.ac.uk

+ Environmental Special Interest Group

Environmental Special Interest Group

Awaiting updated information.

+ Same Day Emergency Care Special Interest Group

Same Day Emergency Care Special Interest Group (SDEC SIG)

RCEM has convened a new Special Interest Group looking at ambulatory emergency care.

Chair – Nathalie Richard

I am a consultant working in Emergency Medicine and SDEC at the Whittington Hospital in London. My role is the ED SDEC lead and clinical lead for the Virtual ward. I helped develop the multidisciplinary SDEC unit in 2012, as part of the first cohort in the NHS elect ambulatory care network. I have held national roles as clinical advisor for NHS elect and representative for Emergency Medicine, and a member of the NHS England working group for SDEC.As chair of the SDEC Special Interest Group, I hope to promote the benefits of SDEC within Emergency Medicine and support Emergency clinicians in developing SDEC skills, leadership, through training and working in partnership with other acute clinical specialities. The SDEC special interest group consists of a team of individuals with real enthusiasm and experience for SDEC, who represent interdisciplinary skills and I’m delighted to work with them as part of the wider RCEM SDEC strategy.

John Stokes – Lay representative of the SDEC SIG

John Stokes is an organisation development consultant with international experience in public and private sectors – specialising in issues of leadership and change, performance management, organisation design and team effectiveness. Beyond the health sector, he has engaged heavily with organisations in financial, professional services and criminal justice sectors, and most recently with the World Bank.

His career has spanned over 40 years, working with leaders at every level, as both employed internal advisor and contracted external consultant. John recently joined the SDEC group, having worked with the college for the past 5 years on various committees and SIGs, including Informatics, Sustainable Working Practices, and Toxicology.

Jo Risbridger

My name is Jo and I work between ED and AMU (including SDEC) at University Hospital Southampton. I am an RCEM Credentialed ACP, with a background of nursing. SDEC is a great way of being able to support patients to be able to stay at home with ambulatory input. In my free time I enjoy being outside including kayaking and outdoor swimming.

Steve Crane

I’m an Emergency Medicine Consultant at York Hospital. As a trainee I helped to set up the  A&E Clinical Decision Units in Leeds (a forerunner of today’s SDEC units) and as a consultant I ran the Trust’s acute DVT service from the ED for many years before helping to set up our current medical SDEC unit. I believe that same day emergency care is a fundamental part of emergency medicine work and that ED clinicians should be involved in this work either within their own departments, in units run solely by ED or in units jointly run and staffed with other acute specialties.

Aidan McIvor

I am an Emergency Medicine Consultant in NHS Lothian and work one day per week within Acute Medicine. As an EM trainee, I completed a fellowship in Ambulatory Care in Edinburgh, and I am now very interested in the development of SDEC within the training curriculum.

I am delighted to be involved in this SIG and in the development of SDEC on a national level and I am excited to share in the experiences and skills of others around the country. I hope to work with the group to inspire interest and enthusiasm for SDEC while informing our own practice and development.

Rebecca Bowers

GP and EM SAS at the Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust. Long Term Conditions Clinical Lead for BOB ICS with particular interest in reduction of unplanned admissions and improving patient pathways. Keen advocate for same day emergency care reviews for rapid assessment across urgent and emergency care systems.

Kuldeep Kaur – EMTA Representative of the SDEC SIG

TBC

Stewart Teece

EM Consultant at Monklands Hospital, also works as a Consultant Acute physician one day a week

Imran Shareef

EM Consultant at King’s College Hospital, London. Liases with Acute Medicine and Ambulatory Care unit.

Hazel Grant – Administrator of the SDEC SIG

Hazel is a member of RCEM’s Quality Team and provides administrative support for the group. She joined the SDEC SIG in January 2023 and is excited to help facilitate the group’s work.
Contact Hazel on: hazel.grant@rcem.ac.uk

See also Same Day Emergency Care on the On Demand Events Page


Ambulatory Emergency Care SIG

The Ambulatory Emergency Care SIG reports to the Best Practice Sub-Committee. It has the following terms of reference.

Remit

Devise a strategy and work programme for approval by the Best Practice Sub-Committee focussed on improving the care for ambulatory care patients presenting at the Emergency Department.

Membership

The Chair will be nominated by the QEC Chair or Exec, with up to 8 other members co-opted as required, subject to budget constraints.

The term of office will be one year initially, extendable for a further two years at the discretion of the QEC Chair.

Meetings

The SIG shall meet by email or telephone conference when appropriate, subject to budget constraints.

+ Quality in Emergency Care Committee

Quality In Emergency Care Committee

The Quality In Emergency Care Committee shall have the following terms of reference:

Remit

  1. To develop and review Evidence Based Guidelines for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  2. To develop Consensus Based Best Practice Statements for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  3. To set and monitor standards of Clinical Care, Best Practice and Clinical Procedures in Emergency Departments
  4. To produce audit and quality improvement tools for Emergency Departments that will encourage uniform data collection and enable audit to be conducted in a systematic way
  5. To develop and disseminate patient safety strategies for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  6. To develop and maintain the Quality section of the Royal College website

Membership

At present Membership of this Committee comprises:

Title Appointment requirements
Chair Elected by the members of the QEC and appointed by the Royal College Council. He / she will have been a consultant for 5 years and a member of the committee for 2 years prior to appointment. The Chair will sit on the Royal College Council and be an ex-officio member of the Service Design & Delivery Committee.
Chairs of Subcommittees Subcommittee chairs will be a current consultant. Applications will be invited by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, and the most suitable applicant will be recommended by the QEC and appointed by the Royal College Council
1 representative of doctors in training Selected by the Emergency Medicine Trainees Association
1 representative of SAS doctors Selected by FASSGEM
1 or 2 representatives of the non-medical professions relevant to emergency care. Co-opted representatives
Up to 36 co-opted members Co-opted and selected for the specific expertise they bring to the committee. Broad regional representation will be sought wherever possible.
1 lay representative Selected by LAG
Administrator Quality Manager, or deputy nominated by Quality Manager

Meetings
The Chairs of the Sub-Committees will give verbal and written reports of the activities of their subcommittees at meetings.

The Committee will meet 4 times each year. Two of the annual meetings will be “full” meetings, to which all members of the Committee and Subcommittees are invited. These also provide an opportunity for the Subcommittees to meet in person. The other two meetings will be business meetings of the main Committee and Subcommittee Chairs only. Other business will be conducted by teleconferencing and e-mail.


Quality in Emergency Care Committee

Chair: Dr Simon Smith
The Quality in Emergency Care Committee (QECC) is focussed on achieving a consistently high standard of care in all UK Emergency Departments, placing the specialty firmly at the centre of the current “quality agenda”. This will ensure that Emergency Departments continue to receive the resources they need, and are recognised for excellence in clinical care as well as time standards.

The committee aims to provide regular information and useful communications to Emergency Departments, supporting clinical quality and service improvement, providing guidance and administering relevant national audits.

Please note that until April 2014, the committee was named the Clinical Effectiveness Committee.

Objectives

  • To develop Consensus Based Good Practice Statements for the specialty of Emergency Medicine
  • To set and monitor standards of Clinical Care, Best Practice and Clinical Procedures in Emergency Departments
  • To produce audit tools for Emergency Departments that will encourage uniform data collection and enable audit to be conducted in a systematic way
  • To develop and disseminate patient safety strategies for the specialty of Emergency Medicine
  • To develop and maintain the clinical effectiveness section of the RCEM website
  • To advise the NHS, DOH and other relevant organisations regarding the IT requirements for emergency medicine, both nationally and locally.
  • To advise the NHS, DOH, CQC, the Royal Colleges and other national bodies who have an interest in the quality of care and risk management in Emergency Departments.

RCEM Quality Strategy – Part A (January 2022)

+ Best Practice Sub-Committee

Best Practice Sub-Committee

The Best Practice Sub-Committee of the Quality In Emergency Care Committee. It shall have the following terms of reference:

Remit

  1. To develop consensus based best practice statements and guidance for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  2. To advise the NHS, DOH, CQC, the Royal Colleges and other national bodies who have an interest in best clinical practice in Emergency Departments.
  3. To develop and maintain the RCEM Guidance section of the Royal College website

Membership

Title Appointment requirements Term of Office
Chair Will be a current consultant in emergency medicine with a demonstrable interest in the identification and application of best clinical practice. Applications will be invited by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, and the most suitable applicant will be recommended by the QEC and appointed by the Royal College Council. The term of office will be 3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
4 – 10 co-opted members Who have specific expertise to bring to the committee. These co-opted members may include doctors in training, nursing or other representatives, as well as consultants in Emergency Medicine 3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
1 Lay representative Nominated by the Lay Advisory Group Renewable for 5 years at QEC discretion
6 SIG Chairs

Who will have specific expertise in one each of the following areas of emergency medicine:

  • Toxicology
  • Major Trauma
  • Mental Health
  • Ambulatory Emergency Care
  • Elderly Care and Frailty
  • Public Health Emergency Medicine
3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
Administrator Quality Manager, or deputy nominated by Quality Manager Ex-officio

Responsibilities

Chair of the Best Practice Subcommittee

  1. Attend QEC meetings at least 3 times per year.
  2. Chair subcommittee teleconferences, coordinate e-mail traffic or face-to-face meetings as necessary.
  3. Co-ordinate the development of Best Practice Statements and guidance for the speciality.
  4. Provide verbal and written reports to QEC
  5. Regular communication with Chair of QEC and QEC administrator.
  6. Liaise with other bodies with specific expertise in best clinical practice.

Co-opted members

  1. Work with the subcommittee to produce Best Practice Statements for the speciality.
  2. Attend at least one full QEC meeting per year.
  3. Participate in one or more face-to-face meetings of the subcommittee per year.

Best Practice Sub-committee

Chair: Dr James France

Objectives

To develop consensus based best practice statements for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
To advise the NHS, DOH, HCC, the Royal Colleges and other national bodies who have an interest in good clinical practice in Emergency Departments.
To develop and maintain the best practice section of the College website.
The subcommittee has produced many excellent best practice guidelines which can be downloaded from the College Guidance page.

The subcommittee also reviews and endorses guidelines from other organisations that are relevant to Emergency Medicine. See the External Guidance page.

Many Emergency Departments have shared locally developed guidelines to help exchange best practice. These can be viewed on the Local Guidance page.

+ Public Health Special Interest Group

Public Health Special Interest Group

The Public Health EM SIG reports to the Best Practice Sub-Committee.  It has the following terms of reference.

Remit

Devise a strategy and work programme for approval by the Best Practice Sub-Committee focussed on improving public health.

Membership

The Chair will be nominated by the QEC Chair or Exec, with up to 8 other members co-opted as required, subject to budget constraints.

The term of office will be one year initially, extendable for a further two years at the discretion of the QEC Chair.

Meetings

The SIG shall meet by email or telephone conference when appropriate, subject to budget constraints.

Chair: Dr Ling Harrison

RCEM has convened a new Special Interest Group looking at public health.

+ Toxicology Special Interest Group

Toxicology Special Interest Group

The Toxicology SIG reports to the Best Practice Sub-Committee. It has the following terms of reference.

Remit

Devise a strategy and work programme for approval by the Best Practice Sub-Committee focussed on improving the care for toxicology patients presenting at the Emergency Department.

Membership

The Chair will be nominated by the QEC Chair or Exec, with up to 8 other members co-opted as required, subject to budget constraints.

The term of office will be one year initially, extendable for a further two years at the discretion of the QEC Chair.

Meetings

The SIG shall meet by email or telephone conference when appropriate, subject to budget constraints.

Chair: Dr Johann Grundlingh

To promote the latest evidence and develop consensus based best practice on toxicology.

+ Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Professional Advisory Group

Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Professional Advisory Group

Details to follow.

+ Mental Health Sub-Committee

Mental Health Sub-Committee

The Mental Health Sub-Committee reports to the Best Practice Sub-Committee. It has the following terms of reference.

Remit

Devise a strategy and work programme for approval by the Best Practice Sub-Committee focussed on improving the care for mental health patients presenting at the Emergency Department.

Membership

The Chair will be nominated by the QEC Chair or Exec, with up to 8 other members co-opted as required, subject to budget constraints.

The term of office will be one year initially, extendable for a further two years at the discretion of the QEC Chair.

Meetings

The SIG shall meet by email or telephone conference when appropriate, subject to budget constraints.

Mental Health Sub-committee

Chair: Dr Catherine Hayhurst
This subcommittee works to progress and promote emergency mental health care.

+ Paediatric Emergency Care Professional Advisory Group

Paediatric Emergency Care Professional Advisory Group

The purpose of a Professional Advisory Group (PAG) for the care of children in EDs is to help co-ordinate College business and to be a resource for College and its members.

There has historically been a firm commitment by the College to improve provision of services for children, and to train emergency medicine doctors to look after children, which form around 25% of ED attendances. Consultants may train further in Paediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM), which is a route recognised by the GMC for subspecialty training 16 years ago (for both EM and Paediatric CCT-holders). However the majority of PEM care nationally is undertaken by generically trained EM clinicians in Emergency departments seeing patients of all ages.

Remit

To ensure that children’s interests are represented within all relevant aspects of College structure / business, and that PEM is recognised and developed as both a sub-speciality, but also a normal part of practice in most emergency departments.

To provide advice and support on all aspects of paediatric emergency care (at both core and specialist levels of clinical practice) to the College and its members. To help facilitate internal and external requests for representation on matters or documents relating to paediatric emergency care, ensuring that the College membership is fairly represented and is engaged.

PAG will sit within the Workforce Cluster of the RCEM Committee Structure and be Chaired by a Vice President of the College as the Cluster Leads.

Membership

The composition of the Paediatric Medicine Professional Advisory group shall be:

Chair (a Vice President of the College)
Deputy Chair (to be selected from other Committee members listed below)
2 RCEM members or fellows of whom at least one must practice in general (i.e. nontertiary) emergency departments.
Training Standards Committee PEM Lead
QEC PEM Lead
Curriculum Committee PEM Lead
RCPCH PEM representative
RCEM Representative on the Intercollegiate Committee for Emergency Services to Children (may be combined with another role)
An EMTA representative may be appointed but it is not considered essential
A Lay Member may be appointed from the RCEM Lay Group
Additional Members may be co-opted subject to budget and the approval of the Chair

Where possible the membership should also aim to ensure that there is good regional representation from across the UK. Membership will be opened up for expressions of interest against an agreed person specification.

Responsibilities of the Chair

To deliver the responsibilities of the PAG within the Terms Of Reference, and to ensure that the interests of paediatric patients and members with paediatric expertise are represented. The Chair shall ensure fairness in recruitment to the committee, and that College policy is represented.
The Chair shall be a Vice President of the College

Responsibilities of the PAG

This group will provide an expert review panel to provide support on any area related to paediatric emergency medicine. The list below is designed to consider the most common areas, but it not intended to be exhaustive:

  1. Ad hoc requests for comments on documents or representation at events /
    meetings
  2. Requests for a PEM representative from RCEM to work on specific time-limited projects (e.g. intercollegiate, other Colleges, NHS government projects) or on specific documents / guidelines (e.g. NICE guidelines etc)
  3. Support relevant RCEM Committees on training, curriculum and exams (both for EM training and sub-speciality PEM training) when requested, and
    facilitate the production of training resources, including RCEM Learning
  4. Service design and delivery including workforce issues
  5. Supporting requests for PEM expertise for ISRs (where PEM-related concerns
    have been raised)
  6. Events and study days
  7. Over-arching strategy and policy documents relating to paediatric
    emergency care. This will include scanning proposed documents to ensure
    that PEM-specific issues have been considered
  8. Encouragement of EM trainees to gain sub-speciality PEM training
  9. To ensure that PEM information on the RCEM website is adequate and up to date
  10. To examine cross-representation and to strengthen links with the RCPCH
  11. To ensure that PEM develops both as a sub-speciality in centres of excellence, but also as part of day to day practice in non-specialised EDs.

Meetings

Formal Quarterly virtual meetings with ad hoc additional meetings as required. One of the quarterly meetings per annum should be face to face.

+ Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Professional Advisory Group

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Professional Advisory Group

Awaiting updated information.

+ Quality Assurance and Improvement Sub-Committee

Quality Assurance and Improvement Sub-Committee

The Quality Assurance & Improvement Sub-Committee of the Quality In Emergency Care Committee. It shall have the following terms of reference:

Remit

  1. To develop clinical standards and audit tools for measuring and improving the quality of care delivered by the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  2. To run the national audit programme of the Royal College and send out reports of the individual and comparative results to participating departments
  3. Develop the national quality improvement programme of the Royal College
  4. To advise the NHS, NICE, DOH, CQC, the Royal Colleges and other national bodies who have an interest in the quality of care in Emergency Departments.
  5. To develop and maintain the RCEM Standards, Clinical Audit, and Quality Improvement sections of the Royal College website

Membership

Title Appointment requirements Term of Office
Chair Will be a current Consultant in Emergency Medicine with a demonstrable interest and expertise in standards and audit. Applications will be invited by the Royal College, and the most suitable applicant will be recommended by the QEC and appointed by the Royal College Council. The term of office will be 3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
4 – 10 co-opted members Who have specific expertise to bring to the committee. These co-opted members may include doctors in training, nursing or other representatives, as well as Consultants in Emergency Medicine. Applications will be invited by the Royal College and selected by the Chair is discussion in discussion with the QEC. 3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
1 Lay representative Nominated by the Lay Advisory Group As per Lay Group Term of Office
Administrator Quality Manager, or deputy nominated by Quality Manager Ex-officio

Responsibilities

Chair of the Standards Subcommittee

  1. Attend QEC meetings at least 3 times per year.
  2. Chair subcommittee teleconferences, coordinate e-mail traffic or face-to-face meetings as necessary.
  3. Co-ordinate the development of clinical standards and audit tools for the speciality.
  4. Supervise the national audit programme
  5. Provide verbal and written reports to QEC.
  6. Regular communication with Chair of QEC and QEC administrator.
  7. Liaise with DOH, HCC and other relevant Royal Colleges.

Co-opted members

  1. Work with the subcommittee to develop auditable standards.
  2. Help develop and test the audit tools
  3. Work with the subcommittee to improve the quality of care in Emergency Departments.
  4. Attend at least one full QEC meeting per year.
  5. Participate in 2 or more teleconferences or face-to-face meetings of the subcommittee per year.

Quality Assurance & Improvement Sub-committee

Creating platforms and tools to empower clinicians and departments at a local level to monitor and raise standards of care in priority areas of Emergency Medicine

Chairs: Fiona Burton and Dale Kirkwood

Secretariat Lead: Please get in touch with Quality at RCEM if you have any questions or are interested to join us: quality@rcem.ac.uk

An established group, we select three priority areas annually for national audit to enable departments to benchmark their performance against their peers. Over time this evolved to focus on local level improvement, benchmarking against themselves as the healthcare community, College and committee increasingly recognised that each department has its own unique population and resource challenges. Interhospital comparison and a ranking still has its place and roles in regulation but a heavy focus on that becomes problematic and demoralising at a local level. Focusing instead on improving services locally, for the population served mattered more than being the best and is more tangible and motivating. In 2018 the team moved to a Quality Improvement approach focusing on collaboration and best practice sharing. This has presented a whole host of challenges for the committee itself resulting in a need to apply the change methodology it promotes to its own inner workings to achieve its mission of improved patient care through greater empowerment and enablement of local departments to improve more effectively.

Key Objectives

Improve the quality of emergency care in high priority areas for patients by;

  1. identifying areas of need as identified by the latest evidence and research and engaging the membership to help set short to medium-term improvement objectives at a national level
  2. increasing enthusiasm and motivation of clinicians locally to evaluate priority areas of care and focus energy to tackle identified problems
  3. provide a high-quality platform and suite of QI tools to facilitate evaluation and analysis of local problems and enable more effective PDSA cycling
  4. establish and utilise a network of engaged clinical QI professionals to share best practice and collaborate to increase the pace of change locally

Aspiration objective

To reduce the care quality gap by focusing support on the lowest performing trusts and developing a deeper understanding of the barriers that might exist to provide excellent care for all

Environmental Statement

This committee is working alongside the Environmental SIG to integrate Sustainable QI into all our programmes. Considering the “triple bottom line” when calculating the true value of health care by considering the patient-centred outcome alongside the environmental, social and economic impacts when making decisions and recommendations.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement

We have integrated ethnicity data monitoring into our platform to form the start of a data set that will contain thousands of cases which can then be analysed to detect differences in care quality along gender, race and age lines. We have representation from the EDI committee at our programme development meetings and attend there’s to provide updates on this current body of work.

+ Safer Care Sub-Committee

Safer Care Sub-Committee

The Safer Care Sub-Committee of the Quality In Emergency Care Committee. It shall have the following terms of reference:

Remit

  1. To develop and disseminate patient safety and risk management strategies for the speciality of Emergency Medicine
  2. To monitor and act upon NRLS safety incident data related to emergency medicine
  3. to maintain a database of Safety Leads in all Emergency Departments
  4. To commission and support research in conjunction with the Research and Publications Committee in the field of safety in the emergency department
  5. To advise the NHS, DOH, CQC, the Royal Colleges and other national bodies who have an interest in risk management and patient safety in Emergency Departments
  6. To ensure members are informed in a timely manner of key publications and resources for patient safety
  7. To develop and maintain the Safety section of the Royal College website

Membership

Title Appointment requirements Term of Office
Chair Will be a current consultant in emergency medicine with a demonstrable interest in patient safety and risk management. Applications will be invited by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, and the most suitable applicant will be recommended by the QEC and appointed by the Royal College Council. The term of office will be 3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
4 – 10 co-opted members Who have specific expertise to bring to the Committee. These co-opted members may include doctors in training, nursing or other representatives, as well as consultants in Emergency Medicine 3 years, which is renewable for a further 3 years at the discretion of the QEC.
1 Lay representative Nominated by the Lay Advisory Group Renewable for 5 years at QEC discretion
Administrator Quality Manager, or deputy nominated by Quality Manager Ex-officio

Responsibilities

Chair of the Safer Care Subcommittee

  1. Attend QEC meetings at least 3 times per year.
  2. Chair subcommittee teleconferences, coordinate e-mail traffic or face-to-face meetings as necessary.
  3. Co-ordinate the development and dissemination of safety information for the speciality of Emergency Medicine.
  4. Provide verbal and written reports to QEC.
  5. Regular communication with Chair of QEC and QEC administrator.
  6. Liaise with patient safety and other bodies as appropriate.

Co-opted members

  1. Work with the subcommittee to improve Patient Safety in Emergency Departments.
  2. Attend at least one full QEC meeting per year.
  3. Participate in 2 or more teleconferences or face-to-face meetings of the subcommittee per year.

Safer Care Sub-committee

Chair: Dr Emma Redfern

The QEC Safer Care subcommittee has been established to identify key themes and markers for patient safety, and develop and disseminate patient safety and risk management strategies for the specialty of Emergency Medicine (EM). The subcommittee will ensure that the College considers the safety of patients in all aspects of its work at all levels; National, Regional and Departmental.

Regular safety alerts and newsflashes are produced and distributed to ED safety leads. If you have any queries about safety in the emergency department, you can reach the administrator and committee Chair by emailing safety@rcem.ac.uk

Lay Group

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 Group

Lay Group

Remit of the Lay Advisory Group

Objectives

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.

Constitution

The Lay Advisory Group has an advisory role and reports to the Council. The LAG remit covers the following:

  • Highlighting areas of patient and carer concern to the Royal College and Council and advise on appropriate action
  • Ensuring that the Royal College takes into account the patient, carer and public perspective in all appropriate activities
  • Being a resource for the Royal College to enable the delivery of a professional service that meets the needs and aspirations of patients, carers, and the public
  • Developing patient, carer, and public involvement in Royal College activities
  • Developing patient information and education in Emergency Medicine
  • Contributing to the development of Royal College policies
  • Ensuring that decisions are made according to the Royal College’s role in protecting the public interest, and in promoting high professional standards
  • Responding to requests for comments from Council, its Boards and Committees
  • Highlighting the work of the Royal College whilst safeguarding the Royal College’s reputation.

To fulfil this remit, the Chair of the Lay Group liaises with the President and Chief Executive of the College to determine how best to utilise the skills and experience of the lay members, having regard for their time available and budgetary constraints. This includes involvement in College projects and Committee work on an issue by issue basis, as well as sitting on some Royal College Committees.

Appointment process

The Council will form either an Appointments Committee comprising individuals whom the Council determines are suitably experienced for the role or ask the Chief Executive to put make suitable arrangements to establish a temporary Appointments Committee.

The Appointments Committee will make recommendations to the Corporate Governance Committee as to the appointment process. It will then advertise the vacancies and select suitable candidates making recommendations to Council for the appointments.

After the appointments are made the Appointments Committee will report to Council on the outcome of the process and disband.

Membership

The composition of the Lay Advisory Group shall be determined by the Royal College Council. There shall be a minimum of six and a maximum of 25 members of the Lay Group including those sitting on Regional and National Boards. Any member of Council may attend meetings of the Lay Advisory Group as an ex-officio member.

The term of office for the Members will be three years subject to a maximum service of two terms of office.

There shall normally be four meetings per year. All members of the Committee shall be advised of the business to be transacted at any meeting even if they are unable to be present.

Chair

The Lay Group shall nominate and make recommendations to Council to appoint a Chair from amongst its numbers. The term of office for the Chair will be for three years and may be appointed to serve a maximum of two terms.

The Chair is a member of the Council and will report to the Council. If the Chair is unable to attend a meeting of Council, the Chair will nominate a deputy from the Lay Advisory Group to attend.

In the absence of the chair a nominated deputy is to chair the meeting.

Lay Advisory Group

The Lay Advisory Group was created in 2008 as part of the College’s new constitution, and it has been fully operational since February 2009. It exists to contribute a non-clinical perspective to college decision-making at every level.

The Lay Advisory Group (LAG) provides advice from a lay perspective on the standards of care and training in Emergency Medicine.

The role of the lay representative is to combine being a supportive member of a decision making panel, providing independent guidance and constructive challenges to current ways of thinking. All lay members are invited to act as individuals rather than on behalf of outside organisations, but they are encouraged to feedback information to those organisations with which they have links. The LAG has a maximum of 25 members including representation on Regional and National Boards.

Please contact the committee via Quality at RCEM: quality@rcem.ac.uk or Tamara Pinedo: tamara.pinedo@rcem.ac.uk or +44 020 7067 4372

Academic Cluster

+ Academic Committee

Academic Committee

Awaiting updated information.

+ Careers Committee

Careers Committee

Awaiting updated information.

+ Education Resources Committee

Education Resources Committee

Remit of the Education Committee

Objectives

The responsibilities of the Education Committee shall be:

  1. To advise the Royal College Council on the content, syllabus and regulations for the form and conduct of any examination for Emergency Medicine that the Royal College may decide to establish, together with recommendations concerning the appointment of Examiners.
  2. To advise the Royal College Council on the content, design and assessment of the Curriculum for Emergency Medicine Training.
  3. To work with the Training Standards Committee to provide necessary support for training by overseeing the development of appropriate learning tools and assessment processes.
  4. To ensure the College meets the General Medical Council’s Standards for Postgraduate Medical Curricula, Excellence by Design.

Membership

At present Membership of this Committee comprises:

Permanent members:

  • Dean (Chair)
  • Vice President(s)
  • CPD Director
  • Chair, Careers Group
  • Chair, Training Standards Committee
  • Clinical Co-Chair RCEMLearning
  • Head of School Representative
  • Chair, Curriculum Sub-Committee
  • Paediatric EM Lead
  • ACCS Lead
  • HST Lead
  • CESR Lead
  • RCSI Representative
  • Lead Dean for EM
  • FASSGEM Representative
  • EMTA Core Trainee Representative
  • EMTA Higher Trainee Representative
  • Lay Advisory Group Representative
  • Two Ordinary Fellows
  • Deputy Chief Executive

In attendance

  • Head of Examinations
  • MRCEM Examinations Manager (Committee Secretary)
  • Training Manager
  • Head of E-Learning
  • Events Manager

Occasional members

Chairs of various working groups.  Experts seconded by either the Dean or Council to carry out a specific task subject to budget constraints.

Responsibilities and powers delegated by Council

Examinations

  • To arrange and provide oversight of all examinations
  • To recruit and train examiners and maintain high standards of examiner conduct
  • Exceptionally the Dean shall appoint Examiners
  • To provide quality assurance of the content and standards of the exams
  • To provide feedback to candidates and reports to Council
  • To maintain up to date Royal College examination regulations
  • To working with the TSC in linking EM training and assessment
  • To establish and maintain the procedures that govern the College’s examinations.

Curriculum

  • To maintain and update the Royal College Curriculum
  • To integrate curriculum development with Royal College examinations
  • To work with the TSC to incorporate the Curriculum into EM training
  • CPD
  • To identify training and educational needs for Fellows and Members
  • To develop educational strategies and guidance to meet these needs including working with the Research and Publications Committee and contributing to the National Conferences
  • To develop appraisal for Fellows
  • To develop recertification for Fellows

Educational research

  • To develop an evidence based foundation for the Royal College’s curriculum and examinations

International

  • To liaise with other countries regarding Emergency Medicine examinations and curriculum development

E-learning & Lecture Notes

  • To contribute to the development of Lecture Notes and a system for e-learning for the Royal College
  • Portfolio
  • To develop the Royal College portfolio, with input for TSC, to ensure it reflects and supports the Curriculum and developments in EM training and assessment

Meetings

Meetings are held up to four times a year and where possible they should be arranged to coincide with other RCEM committee meetings, and if members are unable to attend they should be encouraged to join the meeting by teleconferencing.

The quorum for this Committee shall be three members, plus the Dean, with members personally present or participating in a meeting by a telephonic or other link.


  • Information about examinations can be found in the Exams section
  • Information about the EM Curriculum can be found in the Curriculum section
  • Information about Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can be found in the CPD section
  • Information about eLearning is available on RCEMLearning
    Information about research is available in the Research section
+ E-Learning Sub-Committee

E-Learning Sub-Committee

Awaiting updated information.

 

+ Ultrasound Education and Training Sub-Committee

Ultrasound Education and Training Sub-Committee

Awaiting updated information.

+ EM Physicians Associate Working Group

EM Physicians Associate Working Group

+ Examinations Committee

Examinations Committee

The Examinations Committee is a standing committee of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. It reports to the Education Committee.

Remit of Examinations Sub-Committee

The responsibilities of Examination Sub-Committee shall be:

  1. To deliver the Royal College Examinations and ensuring quality control and quality assurance is carried out
  2. To train the Royal College examiners
  3. To develop new examinations as requested by the Education Committee

Membership

The composition of the Examination Sub-Committee is determined by the Royal College Council as follows: Chair, All College Lead Examiners, all Deputy Lead Examiners, two appointed examiners, EMTA Core Trainee Representative, EMTA Higher Trainee Representative, Lay member, Dean, Deputy CEO, Head of Examinations, FRCEM Examinations Operational Manager (Secretary).

The quorum for this Committee shall be nine members personally present or participating in a meeting by a telephonic or other link.

Responsibilities

  • To lead and manage the delivery, development and quality assurance of all examinations
  • To develop examinations which are fit for purpose and implement changes which improve the validity and reliability of all examinations as necessary in accordance with GMC requirements
  • To monitor the performance of the College’s examinations, including areas of differential attainment
  • To oversee the maintenance and development of question banks including reviewing the performance of examination questions
  • To provide regulatory and policy documentation for examination candidates and examiners
  • To oversee the delivery of examiner training
  • To deliver financially within the budget set by Council and recommend fees increase when appropriate
  • To lead and manage the College’s strategy on international examinations
  • To provide statutory information to the GMC as requested

Meetings

Meetings are held up to four times a year.

+ Global Emergency Medicine Committee

Global Emergency Medicine Committee

Awaiting updated information.

+ Research Committee

Research Committee

Mission statement

To develop emergency medicine research capacity, opportunities within academic emergency medicine, and to showcase high-quality emergency medicine research at every opportunity.

Chair

Professor Matt Reed – research@rcem.ac.uk

Secretariat Lead

Contact – quality@rcem.ac.uk

About the committee (Terms of Reference)

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. Established in [year], 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.

The highlight of the committee’s calendar is the Annual Scientific Conference, but it also hosts research engagement events, provides grant funding for EM research, offers research fellowships to College members and awards prizes to young researchers.

Key objectives

Actively participating in and directing the development of Academic Emergency Medicine

  1. Develop emergency medicine research capacity and infrastructure
  2. The committee aims to showcase high-quality emergency medicine research at every opportunity
  3. Engagement with UK academic structures on behalf of the Royal College

Aspiration objective

(Something not currently being done but working towards or may achieve with more resources)

  1. To increase research capacity and activity in the specialty. This can be achieved by prioritising the research questions that are most important, which will be facilitated by the recent priority-setting partnership refresh in conjunction with the James Lind Alliance (see link below).

Key and recent outputs

Minutes of previous meetings

Minutes of the committee meetings are available.

How does the committee incorporate environmental work and equality, diversity and inclusion into its work?

A representative from GEC (formerly WEMSIG) attends committee meetings.

+ Training Standards Committee

Training Standards Committee

The Training Standards Committee has responsibility for translating the Royal College’s aims for specialty training in EM into working systems throughout the UK.

Objectives

  1. Setting standards for Emergency Medicine training and assessment within the GMC framework including working with the Education committee and the Deputy Chief Executive in the development of the curriculum and assessment system and working with the GMC, other Royal Colleges, postgraduate deaneries and EM Schools/Specialty Training Committees in the maintenance and improvement of standards of training.
  2. National coordination of training, including providing advice to trainees and trainers in the UK on training and assessment and recommending trainees to the GMC for admission to the specialist register.
  3. Acting as a link between the EM Schools/Specialty Training Committees and the Royal College and GMC.
  4. Evaluation, via panel system, of applications for Certificates of Eligibility for Specialist Registration in Emergency Medicine received from the GMC.
  5. Coordinating the Medical Training Initiative on behalf of the Royal College.
  6. Working with HEE and the devolved equivalents in the setting of standards for entry to training and recruitment to training posts.

Membership

At present Membership of this Committee comprises:

Title Appointment requirements Term of Office
Chair

The Chair is appointed from one of the 5 TSC leads, Quality, HST, ACCS, CESR and DRE-EM, based on the person specification for the role. Each lead has to apply for the post and prepares a written statement about suitability for the post.

This is followed by short-listing and interview involving the outgoing Chair, Registrar and either the President or one of the Vice Presidents.

There should be an agreed run in time of 18/12 prior to taking up the chair, to allow Heads of School (HOS) to resign and be replaced at local level.

Previous TSC leads can put their names forward for consideration.

3 year term of office.
TSC leads up to 5 (in HOS numbers below)

The five leads, Quality, HST, ACCS, CESR and DRE-EM are appointed from existing TSC members who are Heads of School or who have been Heads of School, heads of training and EM consultants. In addition, appointments can come from the International Committee for the International Sponsorship Lead; from the Education Committee for the Curriculum Development Lead and from the CESR panel for CESR Lead. Appointment is by self-nomination and interview.

Categories are:

  • Lead for Quality
  • Lead for CESR
  • Lead for International Sponsorship
  • Lead for HST
  • Lead for Curriculum Development
  • Lead for ACCS Lead for DRE-EM

Person specs exist for each role.

3 years
Heads of EM School
If EM school not established then HOT in that region instead.
Regions are Northern, Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands, East of England, London, KSS, Wessex, Severn, Peninsula, Thames Valley, West
Midlands, North Western, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland

Person Specification

  • Must be Fellows of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine
  • Must hold consultant posts in Emergency Medicine or Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Must be actively involved in specialist training in Emergency Medicine
  • Must attend Deanery STC /Deanery School meetings as a full member, usually the Chair or a nominated deputy from the Deanery STC who will attend for the full period of tenure.
  • Must be able to attend meetings of the Training Standards Committee four times each year in London.
For as long as they are HOS in the region, usually 5 years but can be re-elected.
Representative of Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health

Person Specification

  • RCPCH consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
5 years
Paediatric Emergency Medicine Lead

Person Specification

  • Must be a Fellow of the College in good standing and actively engaged in Paediatric Emergency Medicine.  Appointment is through self-nomination and formal interview by Chair of TSC, RCEM President or Vice-President.
3 years
Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine representative

Appointments

  • Appointed by IBTPHEM
Head of EM training ROI

Person Specification

  • Consultant in Emergency Medicine in Ireland
5 years
EMTA representative

Appointments

  • Elected by EMTA until their CCT/CESR-CP date
FASSGEM representative

Appointments

  • Appointed by FASSGEM
Lead Postgraduate Dean Ex-Officio member – Has full voting rights
Lead Postgraduate Dean – PHEM Ex-Officio member – Has full voting rights
President of the Royal College Ex-Officio member – Has full voting rights
Dean of the Royal College Ex-Officio member – Has full voting rights
Deputy CEO Ex-Officio member – Has full voting rights
Lay representative Ex-Officio member

Administrator

(Ex-Officio)

The Administrator is an ex-officio member and must attend the meeting to record the minutes. The Administrator will not have any voting rights. On-Going
  1. Responsibilities

Quality

  • Educational approval is the responsibility of postgraduate deaneries and the GMC. The Royal College is responsible for working with both to set standards for the approval of departments for EM training and to offer advice.
  • Agreeing processes by which external assessors can be provided to participate in ARCP panels and Deanery quality visits.
  • Compiling and submitting the annual specialty report on training to the GMC

Curriculum and assessment system

  • Working with the Education Committee, Deputy Chief Executive and GMC to develop and update the Curriculum and assessment system and to provide guidance as appropriate.

Recruitment to specialty training

  • Working with HEE and the devolved equivalents to compile the person specifications for entry to EM specialty training.
  • Working with HEE and the devolved equivalents, other Royal Colleges and Deaneries to manage recruitment, including national recruitment to specialty training.

Training

  • Working with other organisations to develop the content and structure of the EM training programme
  • Enrolment and Registration of EM trainees
  • Recommendation of trainees to the GMC for specialist registration
  • Review of trainees’ CCT and CESR-CP dates
  • Administration of the EM ePortfolio

CESR

  • Evaluating applications for specialist registration in EM by the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration route
  • Evaluation of posts recognised for entry to training via the CESR combined programme route

Medical Training Initiative

  • Agreeing standards for GMC registration via the sponsorship route and administering sponsorship applications.

EM Schools

  • Communicating with EM Schools on issues relevant to training,
  1. Meetings

The committee meets four times a year.  All members should endeavour to attend but deputies can be sent with the agreement of the Chairman.

+ Advanced Clinical Practitioners Credentialing Committee

Advanced Clinical Practitioners Credentialing Committee

The ACP Credentialing Sub-Committee is a Sub-Committee of the Education Committee.  It shall have the following terms of reference:

Purpose Statement

To develop, plan, evaluate and quality assure the credentialing of Emergency Care Advanced Clinical Practitioners, ensuring engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Membership

  • Chair
  • ACP Curriculum Lead
  • College of Paramedics representative
  • Royal College of Nursing representative
  • Chair of the RCEM Training Standards Committee
  • Consultant Nurse Representative
  • Trainee ACP Representative
  • Credentialed ACP Representative
  • Two RCEM Ordinary Fellows
  • RCEM Deputy CEO
  • RCEM Training Manager
  • RCEM Vice Presidents (ex-officio)
  • RCEM Dean (ex-officio)

Remit

  • To review and maintain the Curriculum for Emergency Care Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ECACP), reporting to the Education Committee and liaising closely with the Curriculum Sub-Committee and the Training Standards Committee.
  • To review, maintain, develop and quality assure the ECACP Assessment Structure and Credentialing Process.
  • To develop and maintain ECACP protocols, guidelines and other documentation as necessary.
  • To ensure IT mechanisms to support the credentialing processes are fit for purposes, such as the ePortfolio.
  • To identify and liaise with other relevant stakeholders and devise mechanisms to engage with these individuals/groups.
  • To respond to external requests for curriculum changes or advice.
  • To provide information as required for the Education Committee, Curriculum Sub-Committee or Council

Meetings

The Sub-Committee will meet up to four times a year.

Quorum

Four members from the membership list.

Chair

The Chair must be a Fellow of the College in good standing and will be appointed by competitive application by the Dean, a member of the Education Committee and the Director of Education.

+ CESR Sub-Committee

CESR Sub-Committee

Awaiting updated information.

+ Curriculum Sub-Committee

Curriculum Sub-Committee

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.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Sub-Committee shall be:

  • To review and maintain the Curriculum for training in Emergency Medicine and, as a result, has delegated powers from Council to decide on the content and nature of the Curriculum.
  • To liaise with other Royal Colleges, Faculties and Intercollegiate groups including the Intercollegiate Committee for ACCS training.
  • To consult on proposed curriculum changes
  • To prepare Curriculum changes for submission to GMC via annual CAG process
  • To respond to external requests for curriculum changes
  • To implement change and undertake evaluation of that change
  • To provide information as required for the annual specialty report to the GMC
  • To develop a WPBA strategy to support the implementation of the curriculum

Membership

  • Chair
  • ACCS Trainer Representative
  • HST Trainer Representative
  • Paediatric EM Trainer Representative
  • Representative of Examinations Sub-Committee
  • Curriculum Development Lead (appointed via TSC)
  • Four ordinary fellows
  • EMTA HST representative (nominated/elected by EMTA)
  • EMTA ACCS Trainee Representative (as appointed to Intercollegiate Committee for ACCS Training)
  • Lay Representative (nominated by Lay Group)
  • Dean (ex officio)
  • Director of Education
  • Curriculum and E-Portfolio Officer

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.

+ Recruitment Sub-Committee

Recruitment Sub-Committee

Awaiting updated information.

Membership and Professional Matters Cluster

+ Emergency Medicine Trainees Association (EMTA)

Emergency Medicine Trainees’ Association (EMTA)

The Emergency Medicine Trainees Association is constituted under the ordinances. It forms part of the membership cluster, with the Responsible Officer being the Registrar. The committee shall have the following terms of reference.

Remit

To provide a focus for Emergency Medicine Trainees and their training in the UK.

To encourage active involvement of all trainees to shape the development of Emergency Medicine as a specialty and improve their own training experience.

To provide a structure for trainees to influence College policy and highlight issues specific to trainees, and to represent their views on Council and RCEM Committees.

Membership

All RCEM members who are part of a training scheme for Emergency Medicine, at ST1 or
above, are considered members of EMTA

Executive

The composition of the EMTA Executive shall be:
Chair: Usually also the RCEM Council representative
Immediate Past Chair: (if still in training, otherwise a vice-chair)
Secretary/Treasurer: Academy of Medical Royal Colleges representative
Education Committee representative
Training Standards Committee representative
EMTA Conference Lead

One of the College Officers may choose to attend Executive meetings

The EMTA committee shall include all members of the Executive and any other trainee representatives to RCEM committees or task and finish groups, and the ACCS representatives to the ICACCST.

Quoracy for the Executive meeting shall be four of the seven trainee representatives. Quoracy for the committee shall be four of the seven trainee Executive members plus at least four other trainee representatives

EMTA shall maintain a Regional Representatives Group, a network of regional trainee representatives across all LETBs, deaneries and rotations to facilitate communication between trainees and awareness of reginal issues and variations in training. This will also include the trainee representatives on the national boards.

The Chair shall be a Trainee doctor holding an NTN or ST3-6 working in Emergency Medicine who is a Member of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and who has sat on the EMTA committee during the last 3 years. The appointment of the Chair shall be made by ballot of EMTA members. This process will be handled by the office manager of RCEM.

Responsibilities

Ensure the views of trainees are represented within the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and to ensure two-way communication between trainees and the College.

Ensure the views of trainees are represented outwards, and to other linked organisations.

Provide advice to, and nominate representatives to, the Royal College and its committees upon invitation.

Promote communication between trainees and trainers.

Provide information and support for training and training-related issues to members in training.

Promote research and academic achievement by emergency medicine trainees.

Provide regular contributions to the EMJ supplement to update trainees on current issues.

Appoint a Conference Lead for the EMTA Conference responsible for design and approval of the programme, to liaise with the Events Team Manager who will arrange for the logistical activities to be provided by the Events Team.

In all activity manage reputational risk to the College and seek to ensure that there is alignment with relevant College strategy, policy and action.

Manage EMTA budget within the College standing financial instructions.

Advise Council on any changes suggested to the TOR of the committee.

Keep minutes of Executive, Committee and other meetings which should be circulated to the Registrar, Dean, and CEO. Ensure minutes of outside bodies on which EMTA is represented (e.g. Academy Trainees Group) are circulated to the relevant Responsible Officer.

Meetings: up to four times a year. At least two of these should be by teleconference if
possible, and if possible one should occur during the EMTA conference in order to minimise costs.

+ Emergency Medicine Specialty and Specialist Doctors (EMSAS)

Emergency Medicine Specialty and Specialist Doctors (EMSAS)

Awaiting updated information.

+ Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP) Forum

Emergency Medicine Advanced Clinical Practitioners’ Forum

The Emergency Medicine Advanced Clinical Practitioners Forum reports to Council and shall have the following terms of reference:

Remit

  • To provide a focus and representation for ACPs and trainee ACPs (tACPs) within the College
  • To encourage active involvement of all ACP associate members to shape the development of Emergency Medicine as a specialty and improve their own training experience
  • To provide a structure for ACP associate members to highlight issues specific to ACPs and represent their views on Council and RCEM Committees.
  • Support the planning and delivery of the ACP conference

Membership

Membership of the ACP Forum shall be limited to advanced nurses or advanced paramedics working in Emergency Medicine who are Associate Members (ACP) of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in good standing.

The composition of the ACP Forum shall ensure regional representation across the British Isles and consist of:

Chair Elected following a ballot of all Associate Members (ACPs) in good standing
Rep for Scotland Elected following a ballot of Associate Members (ACPs) in good standing within the relevant region
Rep for Wales
Rep for Northern Ireland
Rep for London
Rep for North of England
Rep for South of England
Rep for East of England
Rep for West of England
Chair of ACP Sub-Committee Ex-officio
President Ex-officio
Registrar Ex-officio
Dean Ex-officio
Deputy Chief Executive Ex-officio
Administrator The Administrator is an ex-officio member and must attend the meeting to record the minutes. The Administrator will not have any voting rights.

Vacancies for regional representatives or the Chair will be advertised by the College at least two months before the end of the office.  Applicants for all roles will be required to submit a personal statement outlining their suitability for the role supported by a proposer and seconder.  Regional representatives shall be elected following a ballot of Associate Members (ACPs) in good standing within the relevant region.  The Chair shall be elected following a ballot of all Associate Members (ACPs) in good standing.

Responsibilities

  • Ensure the views of Associate Members (ACPs) are communicated to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and to disseminate information about changes to training or provision from those committees
  • Ensure good communication is maintained with Associate Members (ACP)
  • Share good practice and ideas for improvement to training and safeguard the educational needs of tACPs as far as possible
  • Ensure regional representation updating the ACP Forum and relevant committees on local views and opinions
  • Represent ACP and tACP views by membership of the relevant committees of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and to ensure two-way communication between ACP Forum members and the Royal College
  • Provide advice and nominate representative to the Royal College and its committees on invitation
  • Circulate a summary of points raised after each Royal College committee meeting drawn up by the relevant representatives for review at the next ACP Forum meeting
  • Provide notes of the meetings of the ACP Forum meeting
  • Provide regular updates on current issues via the EMJ supplement
  • Communicate with the regional representatives before parent committee meetings to ensure regional views and concerns are voiced and each regional representative has a duty to reply
  • Disseminate information about changes to ACP Credentialing to Associate Members (ACP)
  • Encourage social discourse and shared learning by the organisation of an annual conference open to all ACPs

Meetings

Up to four times a year.

+ EM Physicians Associates Forum

EM Physicians Associates Forum

Awaiting updated information.

+ Sustainable Working Practices Committee

Sustainable Working Practices Committee

Creating successful, satisfying and sustainable careers in Emergency Medicine

Chair: Saurav Bhardwaj

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:

  • Returning to EM Clinical Practice, Skills Maintenance, Future Professional and Personal Development
  • A Practical Guide to Flexible Working and Good EM Rota Design
  • A Practical Guide for EM Clinical and Non Clinical Managers
  • A guide to engage and retain your established EM staff

Careers Group

Co-Chairs: Anna Buckley and Duncan Carmichael
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.

Further information and resources can be found here: Considering a career in EM

+ Gender Equity Committee

Gender Equity Committee

Awaiting updated information.

Organisational Development Cluster

+ Honours Committee

Honours Committee

Objectives

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.

Membership

At present Membership of this Committee comprises:

Title Appointment requirements
Chair Chair of the Lay Group
UK Fellow(s) up to two To be self-nominated and/or co-opted
Vice President Ex-Officio member with voting rights
Chief Executive N/A
Administrator (Ex-Officio) The Administrator is an ex-officio member and will attend the meeting to record the minutes. The Administrator will not have any voting rights.
The Committee Chair, acting with the support of the Honours Committee, has the power to co-opt up to two additional members

Responsibilities and powers delegated by Council

  1. To establish criteria for the Royal College nomination of worthy individuals for a national honour.
  2. To receive, identify and make nominations on behalf of the Royal College of persons worthy of a nomination for a national honour.
  3. To receive, identify and make nominations to Council persons considered worthy of an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College
  4. To make recommendations and issue guidance as the Committee may consider appropriate to Council on the conferment of honours, medals and other Royal College awards.

Meetings

Meetings are held at up to twice a year and business may also be transacted by email or telephone conference call as the Chair deems appropriate.

Individual responsibilities

Members of the Honours Committee are expected to maintain the utmost confidentiality and discretion commensurate with their role.  They are also expected to be ambassadors for the work of the Royal College, supporting, explaining and reinforcing the Royal College strategy to promoting those exceptional individuals for national or other honours.

+ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Awaiting updated information.



Back to top Back to top