About PIPSIG
The group aims to support and advocate for the interests and needs of private and independent psychiatrists within the College.
Executive Committee
| Member | Year of joining | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Mona Freeman | 2023 (E) | Chair |
| Dr Jonathan Hellewell | 2025 (E) | Financial Officer |
| Dr Daniel Allen | 2017 (C) | Committee Member |
| Dr Edward Burns | 2023 (C) | Committee Member |
| Dr Rachel Gibbons | 2019 (C) | Committee Member |
| Dr Bradley Hillier | 2024 (C) | Committee Member |
| Dr Reena Manghnani | 2024 (C) | Committee Member |
| Dr Ian Nnatu | 2025 (C) | Committee Member |
| Dr Monica Shaha | 2019 (C) | Committee Member |
The private and independent practice special interest group (PIPSIG) was formed in the 1990s and membership is increasing as more psychiatrists opt for portfolio careers. Members from other Specialities and Faculties of the College are welcome if they work to any extent outside the NHS.
The group aims to support and advocate for the interests and needs of private and independent psychiatrists within the College.
The group includes those in private practice, retired working psychiatrists, medico-legal and Mental Health Act work and doctors visiting and working in independent hospitals and clinics.
The group's concerns have been that those working outside the NHS have, in the past, not been connected with College affairs. Current challenges include the requirements of relicensing and revalidation (including appraisal and 360 degree feedback), maintaining skills required for independent psychiatric practice and liaising with other College activities.
Previous annual reports can be viewed on the website and show the range of activities that PIPSIG covers.
Mona is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist who has worked as a sole practitioner in independent practice since 2019. She is also an EMDR accredited practitioner and has an interest in trauma. She previously worked in London, latterly as the adolescent psychiatrist in the Camden EIS team for first episode psychosis.
She stepped in as interim Chair of PIPSIG (private and independent special interest group) in 2022 and was elected Chair in 2023.
Mona has always been keen on writing and advocating for her patients and those she represents more broadly. She was Series Editor of the Mental Health and Growing Up College leaflets in the early 2010s as well as contributing book chapters to RCPsych publications The Mind - A User’s Guide and The Young Mind, and most recently the newest edition of Management for Psychiatrists, which is currently in press. She was awarded the Laughlin Prize by RCPsych in 2003.
Important documents to help regulate your practice:
- If a Patient Dies by Suicide
- GMC College questionnaire
- GMC Patient questionnaire
- GMC Self-assessment questionnaire
- Lawyer questionnaire
- Electronic Lawyer questionnaire
- Medico-legal questionnaire
- Rix Report Evaluation Tool
- Useful CQC links FAQs
PIPSIG Drop-in sessions
When COVID hit, the PIPSIG exec responded by commencing monthly drop-in sessions. The aim is to allow doctors who may be working in isolation the chance to discuss the difficulties they have encountered and potential solutions with their peers.
Each session lasts an hour and is facilitated by two members of the PIPSIG exec. In response to comments, the sessions were moved onto a rota encompassing morning, afternoon and evening slots. Weekend slots had not been welcomed.
All PIPSIG members are e-mailed with the dates of the meetings for several months in advance to allow them to sign up. The sessions are limited to 30 participants each time. Zoom meeting details are only given to those who register to prevent ‘Zoom-bombing’ and improve confidentiality. If you have any queries about the drop-ins please contact sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.
View a survey of the first 12 months of the drop-in sessions.
PIPSIG on Twitter
PIPSIG is on Twitter! Details of forthcoming events, consultations that might concern PIPSIG members and items of interest are posted. Please follow .
Starting out in independent practice
The PSS have published advice about starting out in independent practice. This is a summary of the points raised during the PIPSIG 'starting out in independent practice' days.
Please bear in mind that it is a summary of the points that delegates struggled with - the information is not meant to be exhaustive.
Telepsychiatry
The PIPSIG telepsychiatry guidance has been incorporated into and superseded by the College guidance on digital communications during the COVID restrictions.
GMC guidance
Reports
Should you require a copy of any previous bulletins not currently available on the website, please contact Francis Maunze – the College Archivist.
Contact us
If you have any enquiries about the PIPSIG please contact sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.