Learning Committee (Clinical Oncology)

Overall purpose

The RCR Learning Committee for Clinical Oncology (CO) is responsible for supporting the ongoing development and delivery of the high-quality portfolio of learning and development opportunities offered by the RCR to its members in the UK and around the world.  The Committee reports to the CO Faculty Board. 

Terms of reference

1.    To develop the CO learning portfolio, working closely with the RCR Learning staff team, by: 
1.1.    identifying gaps in the current portfolio and identifying suitable products to fill these
1.2.    considering proposals for new clinical oncology learning and development opportunities and products
1.3.    reviewing existing products, ensuring topics remain relevant and popular, and are appropriately delivered
1.4.    making decisions about new products that should be developed, and about products to be deleted, and prioritising these in line with the College strategy and annual plans 
1.5.    overseeing the development and implementation of initiatives approved by the committee.

2.    To consider feedback from participants at events and users of digital CO learning resources, and make improvements where appropriate 

3.    To identify and collaborate with partner organisations to develop joint products when appropriate

4.    To provide reports to CO Faculty Board about its work, including planned work and the performance of CO products via participant feedback summaries and financial parameters.

5.    To work with the RCR Learning Committee for Clinical Radiology to develop programmes for joint CO-CR resources, events, and the College’s annual conference.

6.    To develop and maintain excellent working relationships with commercial companies who may be able to provide financial or other appropriate support for College learning and educational products, in line with the College’s Sponsorship and Commercial Support Policy. 

7.    To ensure appropriate eponymous lectures are developed and delivered.

8.    To ensure all CO learning products are marketed effectively.

Membership 
9.    There shall be a maximum of 16 members ideally including one overseas member

10.    Ex-officio members:  
10.1.    Vice-President, Clinical Oncology
10.2.    RCR President 

11.    Appointed Members:
11.1.    Chair and Clinical Lead for CO within RCR Learning
The Chair shall be responsible for the appointment of the following members in accordance with the RCR’s Appointments to Boards, Committees and Lead roles procedure to represent areas of practice or geographical region or other specific relevant need among the membership.

11.2    Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair will deputise for the Chair where appropriate 
11.3    Clinical Advisory Leads (x2)
11.4    Medical Education Lead
11.5    Leadership Lead
11.6    Exam Preparation Lead
11.7    Annual Conference Leads (x2)
11.8    Trainee Learning Lead 
This will be the Oncology Registrar’s Forum representative

12.    Each lead role will be responsible for leading a working group relating to their area and will be required to work with their corresponding lead(s) on the RCR Learning Committee for Clinical Radiology on any cross-faculty projects. Each lead will report to the Chair and/or Vice-Chair.

13.    Others
13.1.    The Medical Directors for Membership and Business (MDBB), Education and Training (MDET) and Professional Practice (MDPP) have the right to attend meetings of the Committee, but it is not a requirement of office.

13.2.    Up to four other members may be co-opted to fill areas of practice or geographical representation or other specific relevant need among the membership. The term of office of any co-optee shall be decided by the Committee at the time of appointment.

14.    To serve as an appointed member of the Committee, a Fellow must be in good standing with the College in the Faculty be in active clinical practice at the time of nomination and hold a current licence to practise in the UK (excepting the overseas member). 

15.    Appointed members will normally serve for a maximum term of three years, plus one additional year for those involved in an ongoing significant project; subject to satisfactory participation as decided by the Chair in consultation with the Vice President CO. 

16.    The exception to this are the Clinical Advisory Leads who are appointed annually.

17.    Membership should as far as possible reflect:
17.1.    the diversity of the profession 
17.2.    the geographical spread of members and Fellows
17.3.    the range of tumour sites treated by clinical oncologists
17.4.    a range of interests in different aspects of professional education e.g. PGCE’s, face to face events, e-learning etc.

18.    Any appointed member of the Committee shall cease to hold office if they fail to participate in person or by video/teleconference in two consecutive meetings without providing an explanation which the Chair considers satisfactory.

19    The Committee will invite other Fellows, members, or staff to attend meetings from time to time.

Chair 
20.    The Committee Chair will be the Clinical Lead for CO within RCR Learning

21.    The Chair will usually serve for a term of three years, renewable for a further term of up to two years if required for continuity of work or to facilitate a rolling renewal of membership.  (A Committee member who is appointed as Chair will not have any period of service as member of the Committee counted against their term of office as Chair). 

22.    The duties of the Chair include:
22.1.    Chairing all meetings 
22.2.    Ensuring the Terms of Reference are observed 
22.3.    Engaging all members of the Committee in the work being done
22.4.    Ensuring regular reports are made to the CO Faculty Board
22.5.    Reviewing the work of the Committee at least once during his or her term of office and making any recommendations for change to the Senior Leadership Team.
22.6.    Ensuring that links and liaison are established with other relevant College bodies and Special Interest Groups; and with relevant NHS, HEE and other bodies in the four UK countries. 
22.7.    Attending a fortnightly meeting with the RCR Learning staff team

Vice-Chair 
23.    The Vice-Chair will deputise for the Chair when required including the fortnightly meeting with the RCR Learning staff team.

Operation 
24.    A quorum shall be one third of the membership of the committee plus one. 
25.    Only appointed members of the committee may vote.
26.    There will be one annual meeting of the committee (to be held in the summer)
27.    There will be one annual strategic planning session to which representatives from the tumour specific sites will be invited to help identify priorities and structure for the RCR Learning programme for the next 12-18 months.
28.    Meetings will usually be held at the College in London but may also be held virtually or in a hybrid manner (Virtual and in-person).
29.    Committee members may be called upon to consider or determine matters electronically between meetings and are expected to contribute to such considerations or decisions as part of their duties as committee members. 
30.    Committee members will not speak on or behalf of the College unless authorised to do so.

Confidentiality and data protection
31.    Members will need to abide by any stated or implied confidentiality that attaches to the work of the Committee during or after any period of membership. 
32.    Members will comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018  and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016 as regards processing and disclosure of any personal data where it is made available to them as part of the work of the Committee. 

March 2022