About RCOP
Introduction to the Royal College of Paramedics
The Royal College of Paramedics represents the interests of paramedics and supports their professional development across the UK.
Our main functions include setting clinical and educational standards, advocating for the profession, and providing guidance on best practices in pre-hospital and out-of-hospital care.
The College works closely with government bodies, educational institutions, and regulatory organisations to influence policy, improve patient outcomes, and ensure paramedics are well-equipped to meet evolving healthcare needs.
The College also offers continuing professional development (CPD) resources, publishes professional guidance, and helps shape the strategic direction of the profession.
Our vision
To inspire and enable all paramedics to participate in the profession within an environment based on safety,
collegiality, inclusiveness, mental and physical wellbeing.
This vision is central to the College’s strategic aims, which include:
Leadership
Shaping the future of the paramedic profession.
Excellence
Promoting excellence in paramedic practice.
Membership
Growing an engaged membership.
Wellbeing
Supporting paramedic health and wellbeing.
Strength
Strengthening the organisation.
The Journey of the Royal College of Paramedics
Select the button below to view the timeline of the history of the College.
We are...
A professional body of Paramedics
A member organisation
Able to represent our members in all matters affecting their clinical practice
A unified voice representing paramedicine and committed to advancing the profession
Able to offer career guidance and advice
Advocacy & Representation: Championing Paramedics Across the UK
The Royal College of Paramedics plays a pivotal role in advocating for paramedics, paramedic students, and the wider ambulance workforce in the UK. As the professional body representing paramedics, the College actively engages with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and regulatory bodies to ensure that the voices of paramedics are heard and their needs are addressed.
Key Advocacy Initiatives:
Engaging with Decision Makers
Representation in National Forums
Response to Safety Investigations
Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Signing the Armed Forces Covenant
Student Engagement
Advocacy – useful links
Visit the Members page on our website. Becoming a member ensures that you keep updated on all of the topics and initiatives that we are helping to drive.
An example of a recent initiative that the College have been actively involved in can be accessed using the link below.
Where to find Information about how your University can support you
Download the PDF below to view the HEI Contacts. Please note the nature of this information is subject to change. Please check your contact details locally.
Learner Listening Sessions: A Platform for Student Voices
The Royal College of Paramedics is committed to fostering an open dialogue with paramedic learners across the UK. To achieve this, they have organised Learner Listening Sessions, providing a confidential and supportive environment where students can share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions.
Key Details:
Format
These sessions are conducted online via Microsoft Teams, ensuring accessibility for students nationwide.
Exclusivity
Attendance is reserved for paramedic learners, creating a safe space for candid discussions.
Confidentiality
To encourage openness, sessions are not recorded.
Facilitation
Led by members of the College’s core team, including the Head of Education and Education Programme Support Manager.
Acting on Feedback
The College values the insights gathered from these sessions and actively works to implement changes based on student feedback.
For instance:
Curriculum Development: Feedback from learners has been instrumental in shaping the 6th Edition curriculum. An interactive slide deck was shared with the Paramedic Education Network for additional input, ensuring the curriculum aligns with student needs.
Mental Health Initiatives: In response to concerns raised, the College has introduced the WRAP tool, an online resource designed to support student paramedics and early career paramedics by encouraging reflection on specific incidents from a psychological or emotional perspective.
How to Get Involved
Paramedic learners interested in participating in future Learner Listening Sessions can:
Register: Access registration details through the College’s official website or member portal.
Contact: Reach out to the Education team at education@collegeofparamedics.co.uk for more information or to express interest.
By actively engaging with students and responding to their feedback, the Royal College of Paramedics demonstrates a steadfast commitment to enhancing the educational experience and supporting the next generation of paramedics.
Benefits of becoming a member
Join the Royal College of Paramedics and gain access to exclusive CPD resources, legal protection, career representation, and a thriving professional community. Whether you’re expanding your skills with 600+ CPD videos, securing £5M medical malpractice insurance, or benefiting from round-the-clock legal support, we’re here to protect, educate, and empower you every step of the way.
How to contact CoP
Get in touch
E-mail: enquiries@collegeofparamedics.co.uk
The Royal College of Paramedics is the recognised professional body for paramedics. We are not, however, a Trade Union. Rather than representing individual practitioners in disputes with employers or acting as a forum for negotiating terms and conditions, as a professional body our role is to represent paramedics in all matters affecting their practice, thereby supporting the highest standards of patient care.
We provide support to the profession by providing advice to our members, and to people considering joining the profession. The College further represents the interests of paramedics by providing a contact point for the media, through membership of appropriate committees and advisory groups, by developing professional standards guidance, and by responding to consultation documents and requests for advice from government, and other professional and registrant bodies.
Council
The Council hold regular meetings to discuss regional and national issues that are important to our members, playing an instrumental part in ensuring that strategy is developed and delivered with membership interests at its heart.
The Royal College of Paramedics Student Council is formed of 12 representatives and a chair, elected by student members of the College to provide the voice of student paramedics from all four nations of the United Kingdom. The Royal College of Paramedics Student Council is formed of 12 representatives and a chair, elected by student members of the College to provide the voice of student paramedics from all four nations of the United Kingdom.
The main aim of the student council is to advocate for student paramedics across the UK, providing the voice of the future of the profession in the College’s work from the ground up. We work on and with various workstreams within the College, including but not limited to the education directorate, Chief Executive Group, and the council. We also provide the student voice in areas outside our main focus, to ensure that the future of the profession is represented wherever possible.
Download the PDFs below to view the Paramedic Council Representatives and Student Council Representatives.
Student Council
Over the last few months current student paramedic representatives Ben V and Stella BF, NQPs and CoP staff have been working to develop our first Student Council.
Mirroring the structure of the Paramedic Council, the Student Council’s purpose is to represent the views of the student membership within all that the Royal College of Paramedics does, to advise and be consulted on activity relating to student paramedics and College policy, and to liaise and communicate with students to ensure that students are embedded in the activities of the College at all levels.
Applications to join the Student Council and represent your region open on the 5th October.
Full details on Student Council webpage.
Liaisons
We provide support to the profession by providing advice to our members, and to people considering joining the ambulance professions. The College further represents the interests of paramedics and ambulance clinicians by providing a contact point for the media, through membership of appropriate committees and advisory groups, by developing professional standards guidance, and by responding to consultation documents and requests for advice from government, and other professional and registrant bodies.
A Liaison is a volunteer representative of the Royal College of Paramedics within their workplace or region. A friendly point of contact for your colleagues – helping to promote the College, keep materials visible, and signpost others to membership benefits and opportunities. They are not a recruiter or salesperson – but a connection. Someone who’s passionate about the profession and happy to share what the College can offer.
What the Role Involves
As a Liaison, you’ll help us raise awareness and keep your colleagues in the loop by:
- Keeping your university, station or workplace noticeboard up to date with posters and resources.
- Regularly checking our online Liaison folder for the latest materials.
- Being available to answer (or signpost) membership questions from colleagues.
- Welcoming new starters and letting them know about the College.
- Supporting or attending informal drop-in sessions or local CPD events.
- Highlighting the professional benefits of joining the College.
- Connecting with your regional network of volunteers and staff.
Support for Liaisons
Liaisons are supported every step of the way, with:
- Regular updates and email briefings from the College team.
- Exclusive Liaison packs – including lanyards, enamel pins, and printed posters.
- Priority access to College news and developments.
- One-to-one support from the Marketing and Engagement team.
- Invitations to exclusive networking and feedback sessions with other Liaisons.
Geographical Education Leads (GEL)
Lead and chair Local Education Network and represent on the National Paramedic Education Network (PEN), use geographical intelligence to inform local education (CPD) activity, assist with assessment of and support of educational programmes and engage with College activity as requested, work with CoP representatives and members.
Act as college education representative locally and nationally and undertaken specific pieces of work as requested by the Head of Education.
Portal feedback/evaluation
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