Overview
Connect with others at a similar career stage and excel in your new role as a consultant clinician.
Are you embarking on your first consultant post? In today’s complex and demanding health sector, the prospect of becoming a new consultant can be daunting.
That’s why we’ve established the New Consultant Network – a series of four dedicated in-person evening sessions to help you succeed in your new role – and build a network of colleagues who will support you along the way.
Created by consultants, for consultants, the sessions will cover what you need to know when taking on your new responsibilities, from effective leadership and looking after the wellbeing of your team, to building business cases, life beyond the job plan, and dealing with complaints.
You’ll benefit from real examples to help you ‘hit the ground running’ and identify the strategic questions you should ask to make important leadership decisions early on. You’ll also have a chance to share your own experiences and hear ideas from consultants across disciplines. Most importantly, you’ll develop a network of other new consultants to share the journey with you.
Each series has limited places to enable participants get the most out of the sessions. Registered participants are expected to attend all four sessions. The closing date for registration is Monday 27 April, the day prior to the first session.
Take a look at our programme to learn more.
"The New Consultant Network is a brilliant way to connect with others at a similar career stage and excel in your new role. All new consultants face similar challenges – but our uniquely multidisciplinary network brings fresh ideas and new perspectives to help you succeed.
"You’ll find out what our session leaders wish they’d known when they became consultants, and you’ll meet new colleagues to support you as you establish in the role. I look forward to meeting you!"
Who is this network for?
- Newly appointed consultants of any discipline (physicians, surgeons, dental consultants), up to 18 months in post from the first session
- People who have completed the Practical Advice for New Consultants course recently
- Particularly those who are working in the West of Scotland
- Those who want to make a strong start in their new role and ‘hit the ground running’
Dates and sessions
- Tuesday 28 April: What I wish I had known...
- Tuesday 5 May: New responsibilities
- Tuesday 12 May: You and your team
- Tuesday 19 May: Beyond survival
Programme
Click below to view the programme or download the pdf.
18:00
- Registration, tea and coffee
Session 1: What I wish I had known...
- Chair: Dr Eric Livingston
18:15
- Welcome
18:30
- Introductions
18:50
- Looking back...
- Dr Eric Livingston, Vice President, Medical, RCPSG
- Dr Morven McElroy, Honorary Secretary, RCPSG
19:00
- What I wish I had known
- Dr Morven McElroy, Honorary Secretary, RCPSG
19:30
- Some starting points
- Ian MacPherson - tbc
19:50
- Wrap up
20:00
- Close
18:00
- Registration, tea and coffee
Session 2: New Responsibilities
- Chair: Ms Mary Brown
18:15
- Welcome
18:30
- Making a business case
- Mr Simon Morton, Consultant Urologist, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
19:00
- Difficult Times (Significant Adverse Event Reviews)
- William Rice, Complaints Manager, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Stobhill Hospital
- John Kennedy, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
19:45
- Wrap up
20:00
- Close
18:00
- Registration, tea and coffee
Session 3: Wellbeing – You and Your Team
- Chair: Dr Morven McElroy
18:15
- Welcome
18:30
- What kind of leader will you be?
- Miss Jane Hendry, Consultant Urologist, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
19:00
- Building resilience (personally and in team)
- Ms Mary Brown, Consultant Urologist, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
19:25
- Difficult conversations / supervising struggling trainees/scenarios
- Dr Morven McElroy, Honorary Secretary, Royal College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Dr Morven McElroy, Honorary Secretary, Royal College of Physicians
19:45
- Wrap up
20:00
- Close
18:00
- Registration, tea and coffee
Session 4: Beyond Survival
- Chair: Professor Christine Goodall
18:15
- Welcome
18:30
- Different stages
- Professor Christine Goodall, Immediate Past Vice President, Dental,
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Professor Christine Goodall, Immediate Past Vice President, Dental,
18:50
- Beyond the Job Plan (research, education, private, NES, examining,
boards)- Professor Christine Goodall, Dr Eric Livingston and Miss Jane Madeley
19:20
- Committing to the Next Generation
- Dr Eric Livingston, Vice President, Medical, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
19:30
- Looking back and forward
19:45
- Close
Attending the network
The New Consultant Network takes place over four weeks, in person at the College in Glasgow.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow is conveniently located in Glasgow city centre, within easy reach of major public transport and motorways. There is free on-street parking near the College after 6pm. Information about hotel and other parking discounts can be accessed after booking.
Find out more about the best way to get to us.
Claiming your CPD
This course offers 8 CPD points for everyone who attends (2 CPD points per session). This can be claimed via your College account. CPD points will be available for up to one month after the course. Where the course has been recorded, these sessions will also be available. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the coordinator. Their details can be found below.
Here's what our previous delegates said
"Excellent, exceeeded expectations. Group discussions were most useful as were the complaints and business case presentations. "
"Excellent idea organising these workshops. There is significant value in peer support and creating networks across disciplines."
"I thought the entire course was excellent and will recommend to colleagues, and I'd be happy to participate again in future. "
Frequently Asked Questions
The New Consultant Network is a series of four in-person evening sessions created by consultants, for consultants. It is designed to support clinicians in the early stages of their consultant role, covering practical topics such as leadership, wellbeing, managing new responsibilities and building professional networks.
The network is aimed at newly appointed consultants of any discipline (including physicians, surgeons and dental consultants), up to 18 months in post from the first session. It may also be suitable for those who have recently completed the Practical Advice for New Consultants course.
The New Consultant Network runs from 28 April to 19 May 2026 and takes place in-person at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Sessions are held on Tuesday evenings in the College Library.
Yes. The programme is designed as a four-session series and registered participants are expected to attend all four sessions.
The programme consists of four in-person evening sessions delivered over four weeks. Sessions include expert-led discussion, shared learning and opportunities to connect with consultants from across disciplines. View the full programme.
Yes. This course offers 8 CPD points in total, with 2 CPD points awarded per session. CPD can be claimed via your College account and will be available for up to one month after the course.
The cost is £15 for College Members and £30 for non-members. Members benefit from a reduced rate, and non-members may wish to consider joining the College to access discounted pricing.
You can register using the ‘Book now’ button on the top of this page. Places are limited and the closing date for registration is Monday 27 April 2026, the day before the first session.
Yes, provided you are able to attend the sessions in person. All four sessions take place at the College in Glasgow.
If you have any questions about the New Consultant Network, please contact David Thomson using the details provided at the bottom of this page.
If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator.
