We are now recruiting for our next CPOC Patient Lead to commence in post in December 2025 for a three year tenure on the CPOC Board. CPOC is committed to ensuring the patient’s voice is at the centre of everything the organisation does therefore we are seeking an enthusiastic and committed individual to represent the patient voice. 

This voluntary leadership role is central to ensuring that the patient voice is embedded in all aspects of CPOC’s work. The Patient Lead will represent patients on the CPOC Board, chair the Patient & Public Engagement Network (PPEN), and guide the team of patient representatives.

This is an unpaid, voluntary role although reasonable expenses will be paid. Much of our work is done remotely but some travel may be required to meetings in London and ad hoc around the UK. 

How to Apply

Submit the following to CPOC@rcoa.ac.uk 

• A personal statement (max 450 words) outlining your interest in the role and what you would bring to it
• Summary of your professional and voluntary experience (maximum 2 pages)

Deadline: 11.59 28 September 2025

Interview: AM 16 October 2025 (online)

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the patient voice at CPOC Board and Executive meetings.
• Chair and lead the Patient & Public Engagement Network (PPEN).
• Develop and deliver the PPEN’s programme of work, focused on improving outcomes for surgical patients before, during, and after surgery.
• Collaborate and build relationships with a diverse range of clinical and non-clinical stakeholders to influence perioperative care policy and practice.
• Champion the views and experiences of underrepresented and marginalised patient groups, ensuring their voices inform perioperative care policy and practice.
• Contribute to strategic planning and decision-making from a patient perspective.
• Participate in bi-weekly virtual leadership meetings and quarterly in-person or virtual board and executive meetings.
• Inspire, support and mentor the patient representatives.
• Contribute to CPOC communications (e.g., blogs, presentations, articles, interviews).
• Represent CPOC and patient views at national forums, conferences, and external working groups

About you

Essential

• A strong interest in the NHS and high-quality healthcare delivery.
• Understanding of or willingness to learn about perioperative care and the UK healthcare system.
• Ability to identify patient-led projects, inspire patient representatives to implement them, and manage the projects through to completion and review.
• Experience leading a team or group, including facilitating discussion or chairing meetings. This may include roles in community, voluntary, or professional settings outside healthcare.
• Ability to represent an unbiased patient perspective and understanding of the causes of health inequality and inequity of access to NHS care.
• Excellent communication skills across various formats and audiences.
• Confidence to engage with senior clinical and policy stakeholders.
• Willingness to share insights from lay or lived experience to inform decision making and service improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and support consensus decision making.
• Competence in using Microsoft Teams, Word, and email, with personal internet access.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Previous involvement in patient advocacy or healthcare improvement initiatives.
• Lived experience as a patient, carer, or advocate within wider healthcare settings.
• Experience navigating healthcare services from a non-clinical perspective.

Equality and Diversity

At CPOC, diversity, equality and inclusion is an integral part of our culture so it is important to us that this is reflected in everything that we do. We welcome applications from all individuals irrespective of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, or parental/caring responsibilities to ensure we actively embrace an inclusive and representative culture that encourages, supports and celebrates our differences.