The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) Trustee Board wishes to appoint a Lay Trustee to succeed Lord Philip Hunt who completes his term at the end of 2021. We are particularly interested in people with knowledge of government, health policy and devising strategy who have demonstrated a commitment to equality.
The Lay Trustee will join a Board of 10 clinicians and 2 Lay Trustee members to be a guardian of purpose and oversee the financial and legal aspects of running the RCOphth.
View details of the current trustee board here
More about the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
The RCOphth is the professional body for eye doctors, who are medically qualified and have undergone or are undergoing specialist training in the prevention, treatment and management of eye disease, including surgery. It has a membership of approximately 4,000 doctors in the UK and overseas and employs 35 staff.
Our governing document is a Royal Charter and the Privy Council has recently authorised the creation of associate membership so that we can invite medical students and allied professionals to join us.
Find out more about governance at the RCOphth, including our Royal Charter and Ordinances.
Ophthalmology: an overview
Ophthalmology is the busiest outpatient specialty and cataract surgery is the most commonly performed operation in the UK. COVID-19 has thrown up many challenges, including increased pressure to clear the waiting list backlog and the health authorities in all four UK countries are putting ophthalmology under the spotlight. In England this takes the form of the NHS National Eye Care Recovery and Transformation (NECRT) programme and the RCOphth is closely involved in improving and developing services. Put simply, there is a buzz about ophthalmology.
Meetings
Board meetings take place four times a year, two in our contemporary offices near Euston station and two via a virtual platform. We hope that trustees will also join one strategy day a year and they are invited to attend a Council meeting and a staff meeting.
Meeting dates are scheduled well in advance, the first Trustee Board meeting of 2022 is on Thursday 10 February 2022.
More information about the role
The President, Bernie Chang, and Chief Executive, Kathy Evans, are very happy to discuss the role with applicants. Please email [email protected] to arrange an informal chat.
This is a voluntary post with reimbursement of travel expenses.
Application process
Please complete an application form
Applications to be submitted to [email protected]
Closing date: Friday 26 November at 12noon