The RCP campaigns for change and advises the government on key public health and professional issues. Many of the public health issues we face in the UK are also important for the European Union and the RCP is very active in Europe in lobbying EU as well as UK decision-makers.
Public health priorities
The RCP is concerned that the Government has underestimated the damage that alcohol can have on people's health. Our President, Ian Gilmore, chairs the Alcohol Health Alliance, a coalition of organisations concerned with the health damage caused by alcohol.
Years ago the RCP founded ASH, the anti-smoking body. We are still concerned about the harmful effects of nicotine and recently published guidelines on how seriously addicted smokers can be helped to quit.
However, climate change could ultimately be the most dangerous of all the public health issues that we currently face. In January 2008, we held a high profile conference on ‘Doctors and climate change’.
Professional issues
We have been working with the Kings Fund to define the role of doctors in the 21st century, whether that role is changing and the impact it has on definitions of medical professionalism.
Doctors everywhere will be all too familiar with the problems associated with the implementation of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC). We welcomed the inquiry led by Sir John Tooke and support the recommendations in full.
We continue to work with PMETB in developing high quality postgraduate medical education. We produced a cutting-edge tool for supporting doctors in revalidation. We continue to respond to government and other consultations on clinical and public health issues.
LATEST
New report produced for Foresight by the RCP outlines what every health professional should know about Obesity
RCP position statement of the care of medical patients outsite of normal working hours
Secretary of State Andrew Lansley answers questions from RCP Members and Fellows
November 2010
In one of his first major interviews, Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley answered questions from RCP Fellows and Members. The interview was first published in the October edition of Commentary and is now available publicly.
Call for participants: Working party on the cancer patient in acute care
26 October 2010
A joint RCP/RCR working group is preparing to develop a framework that would enable timely and appropriate decision making for patients with cancer who present to emergency care services.
The RCP responds to NCEPOD report 'A Mixed Bag'
24 June 2010
The Royal College of Physicians welcomes the NCEPOD Artificial Nutrition Enquiry Report ‘A Mixed Bag’ which provides clear evidence that many hospitals are delivering unsafe artificial nutrition to potentially seriously ill adults and children.