Vacancies on RCoA Devolved Nations Boards
Self-nominations are now open for positions on the Scottish, Northern Irish, and Welsh Boards of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
All three boards provide a critical link between the work of the College and its Fellows and Members based in the devolved nations. A role on one of the Boards gives you the opportunity to make lasting change in your specialty, network and have a wider impact in your region and community.
What is expected from Devolved Nation Board Members?
The Scottish Board meets three times a year and the Welsh and Northern Irish Boards meet twice a year. The Scottish meetings are hybrid. Wales and Northern Ireland meetings will have one in-person only meeting and one online only meeting. Candidates will need time to attend these meetings as well as reading the supporting papers in advance.
What are the benefits of joining as a Board Member?
By joining a Board, you will be working with your local RCoA team of elected, lay and co-opted members to:
- review matters related to the training and practice of anaesthesia
- undertake discussions and consultation with local government health departments on key issues in your region
- communicate with the Chief Medical Officers, ministers and other officials from your nation
- feed into UK-wide Council meetings through the Board Chair, and to support work across your specialty, region and the College
- coordinate the process of RCoA nominations for any awards in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- improve communication and engagement with other College members and Fellows in your region
- promote the work of the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) and collaborate with other specialties on this
- support academic anaesthesia at both a local and national level.
What vacancies are available?
There are vacancies on each of the three boards.
Welsh Board
There are six vacancies:
• 3 vacancies to represent the Hywel Dda Health Board.
• 1 vacancy for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
• 1 vacancy for the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.
• 1 vacancy for the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board.
Candidates must be consultant, specialty doctor, associate specialist/specialist grade members being Fellows, Members or holding Associate Membership of the College.
Term of office will begin in March 2026 and last for three years.
Apply here by 12 noon on Monday 9 February 2026
Scottish Board
• 1 consultant vacancy.
Consultant members must be Fellows working in Scotland.
Term of office will begin in March 2026 and last for three years.
Apply here by 12 noon on Monday 9 February 2026
Northern Irish Board
• 1 consultant vacancy.
• 1 SAS vacancy.
Consultant members must be Fellows working in Northern Ireland. SAS members must be a Fellow or Member of the RCoA or the College of Anaesthesiologists working in Northern Ireland.
Term of office will begin in March 2026 and last for three years.
Apply here by 12 noon on Monday 9 February 2026
Eligibility and terms of office
To stand for these positions, candidates’ main address (primary residence) must be within the specific devolved nation.
Consultant and SAS representatives on the Boards are elected for a term of three years, after which they are eligible for re-election to serve for one further term of three years. Trainee members of the Boards are elected for a single term of up to three years and will normally be expected to resign within one year of appointment as a consultant.
Timetable and how to stand for election
The deadline to self-nominate is 12 noon on Monday 9 February 2026. For each Board, if more nominations are received these members will be elected or appointed following a process agreed by the Chair of the Board and RCoA Council, as recommended by the Governance Team. An election would be supported by our electoral services provider, Civica.
If you would like to discuss the opportunities in more detail, please get in touch by emailing governance@rcoa.ac.uk who will be able to connect you with the relevant Devolved Nation Board Chair.