Records of the Joint Committees of the RCOG and Royal College of Radiologists

Records of the RCOG and Royal College of Radiologists' Joint Group on Ultrasound, and of the Standing Joint Committee of the RCOG and RCR, comprising of meeting papers and correspondence discussing guidance on training, safe use of ultrasound, approved centres for the training of radiologists (1986), and ultrasound procedures in early pregnancy (1995).

The first meeting of the Joint RCOG/Royal College of Radiologists Ultrasound Group was held on 27 February 1986. Its brief was to 'draw up a training programme for obstetric ultrasound for medical practitioners'. At its second meeting the group proposed that a Standing Joint Committee be established between the two Colleges. The Ultrasound Group produced a final report on its recommendations for a training programme and was dissolved on 10 November 1986 after four meetings.

The Standing Joint Committee of the RCOG/RCR convened on 18 May 1987, having been established in reponse to the recommendations of the report of the Ultrasound Group. Its remit was 'to oversee the training in obstetric ultrasound in accordance with the Group's report' (minutes, ref. C9/M/1). The Committee was to promote and maintain standards in obstetric ultrasound generally, and to regulate and monitor training arrangements. It was also responsible for assessing and recommending approval of practical training centres, theoretical courses and trainees' log books.

By 2008, the remit and objectives of the Committee remained the same; it reported to the Education Board of the RCOG and the RCR Council. The function of the Committee was to organise and supervise basic ultrasound training in obstetric ultrasound (MRCOG Logbook) and the Joint College Diploma. This included: recommending training standards; accrediting and monitoring practical training centres; organising the theoretical course; supervising other means of assessment such as logbooks and OSCE; responding with advice on issues raised by either College Council relating to Obstetric Ultrasound; raising with either College Council issues in obstetric ultrasound which the Committee felt should be considered more broadly.

In 2003 the first exit exam took place, and thenceforth, the Diploma was issued once the trainee had passed the exam. The exams took place twice a year, in May and December, and the last exam was held in December 2009. The Diploma was replaced by a basic obstetric ultrasound module and an intermediate obstetric ultrasound module; in addition, three gynaecological ultrasound modules form part of the curriculum for specialty training. [Information sourced from Postgraduate Training Department, June 2010]

Permission from RCOG senior management via the College Archivist is required for access to College records less than twenty years old.

Copyright of the RCOG. Reproductions are available at the discretion of the College Archivist.

Related material held at the RCOG can be found at the following references:

RCOG/M55 The records of a College working party on ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities, 1994-2000

RCOG/B10 Scientific Advisory Committee papers relating to joint working parties with the RCR and studies of ultrasound

RCOG/E4 Records of joint meetings with the RCR on ultrasound

RCOG/M50/3/3 Submission from the RCOG/RCR Committee to the College's futures working party in 1990

RCOG/A4/21/68 Presidents' general correspondence with the RCR, 1978-1983

RCOG/A4/25/218 President's file on the joint committee, 1988-1992

RCOG/A4/25/226 President's file on ultrasound generally, 1977-1990