The RCOphth represents the voice of the profession in all four nations and we also attract international members. By joining the RCOphth, you are contributing to and strengthening the work we do in developing policy and standards to safeguard patient care and a sustainable workforce. If you have an interest in overseas development, you can offer your skills to support developing countries with education and training opportunities.
Your involvement can benefit you personally too. Work with colleagues and staff across a wide range of experiences and knowledge, learn new management and leadership skills through many of the roles on offer and network with members across the UK and internationally.
We have over 4,000 members that include ophthalmologists in training, consultants, SAS doctors and other professions such as optometrists.
Find out more about the different types of membership that you can apply for.
Apply for Membership
There are a number of ways to apply for Membership of the RCOpth. See the categories below.
Applicants applying for Fellowship by Election must:
UK NHS Applicants
Be in a substantive NHS consultant post in ophthalmology for five years or more
UK Non-NHS Applicants
Be in a substantive consultant in ophthalmology in a Non-NHS UK healthcare provider for six years or more.
Overseas Applicants
Be a substantive consultant in ophthalmology in a healthcare provider for six years or more.
Applicants applying for Membership by Election must:
UK NHS Applicants
Be a newly appointed substantive NHS consultant in ophthalmology or a SAS doctor in ophthalmology in a substantive NHS post for five years.
UK Non-NHS Applicants
Be a substantive consultant in a Non-NHS UK Healthcare provider for three years.
Overseas Applicants
Be a substantive consultant in ophthalmology in a healthcare provider for three years.
Affiliates shall be:
- Those medical practitioners in the field of ophthalmology who hold qualifications and who are not Fellows or Members of RCOphth
- Those persons approved and admitted by the Council, who hold a higher qualification and are engaged in ophthalmic research but are not medically qualified
Trainee Affiliates will be those who have been appointed to an Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) post within the UK – whether run-through or Locum Appointment for Training (LAT).
Maintaining your membership is important, as in addition to the exclusive benefits there are areas of support and opportunities to make the most of your training:
- The Ophthalmologists in Training Group works on behalf of and for all training ophthalmologists, you can contact them through the OTG Facebook
- Access to the e-Portfolio
- CCT recommendations to GMC at the completion of training subject to satisfactory Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP)
- Approval of out of programme training or research towards the CCT, which the GMC will not approve without RCOphth support
- RCOphth supports your Regional Education Advisers, Training Programme Directors and College Tutors in their local work with trainees
- Specialist staff are on hand to provide advice on education and training issues
- Curriculum review and assessment development
- CPD recording system
- Reduced fee for attendance at the prestigious RCOphth Annual Congress held in May each year
