Empowering women in healthcare leadership
The Emerging Women Leaders Programme is a development programme designed specifically to address the under-representation of women in medical leadership roles.
The Emerging Women Leaders programme is designed to empower and elevate women in healthcare leadership. This comprehensive healthcare leadership training provides personalised mentorship, networking opportunities, and advanced leadership skills for female clinicians.
Why choose our programme?
Our leadership development for women focuses on enhancing your professional capabilities and confidence. With expert-led courses and a supportive community, you'll gain the tools to take the next step in your leadership journey.
Hear from past delegatesProgramme overview
Our teaching days consist of the topics below:
- Day 1: Getting to know you
Recognise the challenges and barriers you face and reflect on your own leadership journey and aspirations.
- Day 2: The individual as a leader
Focus on clinical leadership, use of the MBTI report, learn to apply feedback and appraisal.
- Day 3: Your leadership journey
Review and reflect on your leadership journey so far, focus on resilience and delve into EDI awareness.
- Day 4: Organisational leadership
Focus on enabling effective team working, role modelling and recognise the requirements of the accreditation assignment.
- Day 5: Celebrations and next steps
Practice your leadership skills in negotiation and influence, create a manifesto to support other women in medicine, and share next steps with peers. Followed by a networking event with peers and guest speakers.
“As ever, the EWL days highlight that I am not alone in the experiences and struggles I encounter at work. A lot of us have similar experiences and it’s really helpful to hear how others face/tackle them.”
Anonymous response from EWL Day 4, London Cohort (24 February 2024)
- Mentorship for women in healthcare: Receive guidance and mentorship from experienced clinical leaders who understand the unique challenges faced by women.
- Networking for women in healthcare: Connect with peers and women leaders in the NHS to build valuable professional relationships. Join a group of likeminded women, of similar career stages looking to develop their skills and confidence.
- Advanced leadership skills for female doctors: Engage in a curriculum tailored to your career growth and the complex leadership challenges you might face in healthcare.
- Empowering confidence in leadership abilities: breaking the barriers and allowing you to envision your next role, enabling you to take the next step. You will build new leadership skills and recognise the skills you already have.
- Achieve an Emerging Women Leader Accreditation: recognition of the leadership development you have committed to in the year-long programme.This option to gain accreditation will support future applications and appraisals as evidence of you putting these skills into action.
Benefit from personalised guidance and insights through at least three dedicated mentoring sessions with a senior woman leader. Gain invaluable advice and support to navigate your role with confidence and expertise.
Forge meaningful connections with peers and women leaders within the NHS, fostering valuable professional relationships. Become part of a supportive community of like-minded women at similar career stages, all eager to enhance their skills and advance their careers together.
Alongside this, you will receive ongoing peer group support through an action learning set (ALS). ALS sessions find practical ways of addressing the ‘real life’ challenges that are faced in the workplace, through a structured process of insightful questioning combined with a balance of support and challenge from group members.
This programme is primarily designed for women consultants who are approximately 3 years post-CCT or an equivalent SAS experience. This gives you the time to reflect on your leadership experience so far and consider what may be the next steps in your leadership journey.
We will consider applications from those who have fewer than three years post-CCT (or equivalent SAS experience) if they have held substantial leadership roles in their first few years as a consultant. However, for those new to a consultant or SAS post, or seeking a substantial post, we recommend you consider our 6-step programme for the new Consultant or SAS Leadership programme.
If you are further into your consultant career, we recognise that career pathways are not always linear, you may still find significant value in the EWL programme if you have experienced career breaks, maternity leave, or structural barriers that have impacted your leadership progression. However, consultants at a more advanced career stage may wish to consider the Aspiring Medical Director (AMD) programme at RCP, which is specifically designed for senior consultants seeking medical director-level roles.
For those pre-CCT, we recommend the Aspiring Women Leaders 1-day workshop or our Fundamentals of leadership workshops as a more suitable starting point for your leadership development.
Not sure if this programme is right for you? Whatever your age, job title, or individual circumstances, please contact us at WomenInMedicine@rcp.ac.uk to discuss whether this programme aligns with your leadership development needs.
Liverpool dates
- Day 1: Liverpool (7 October 2025)
- Day 2: Liverpool (2 December 2025)
- Day 3: Liverpool (10 February 2026)
- Day 4: Liverpool (21 April 2026)
- Day 5: Networking day for both cohorts in London (23 June 2026)
London dates
- Day 1: London (14 October 2025)
- Day 2: London (9 December 2025)
- Day 3: London (3 February 2026)
- Day 4: London (14 April 2026)
- Day 5: Networking day for both cohorts in London (23 June 2026)
The fee for the emerging women leaders programme, including the development days, personalised mentoring, action learning sets, and networking is £4,200 for non-members, and £2940 for members of the RCP (30% discount), find out more about membership.
Organisations wishing to make multiple bookings should contact: WomenInMedicine@rcp.ac.uk
We have a limited number of funded places available for RCP members, you must be a member at time of application. Find out more about membership.
This programme is approved for 25 external CPD credits.
“Excellent teaching and input from facilitators and guest speaker who shared a lot of experience and wisdom."
Dr Sarah Shotton
Consultant, respiratory medicine
How do I apply?
Applications for the 2025/26 cohort are now closed. You can register your interest for the 2026/27 cohort.
Register your interest for 2026/27“Wide range of topics covered. Huge amount of content - all good for thought."
Dr Surangi Mendis
Consultant, audio vestibular medicine