The College campigns for change and advises 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
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
RCP submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions' consultation on assisted dying guidelines
December 2009
The College has submitted comments to the Crown Prosecution Service calling for additional safeguards to be added to the interim policy statement so that it better recognises the clinical realities of serious illness, disability, and the complex dynamics of patient-family relationships.
Health Select Committee Inquiry into Commissioning
September 2009
A submission developing the argument that any evaluation of commissioning policy, centrally and locally, cannot be disentangled from the wider NHS reform agenda.
Using professional networks to support patient safety
June 2009
The RCP guidance issued on potential influenza pandemic
June 2009
The Royal College of Physicians has issued guidance for hospital medical specialties on the adaptations needed for a pandemic influenza outbreak.
Role of the Doctor: Past, Present and Future
16 December 2008
The medical profession has reached a consensus on the role of the doctor which responds to the need to provide clarity on the doctor’s role in order to inform medical education, training and workforce planning. Health demands and expectations are increasing, which has made it even more important to define the contribution of doctors in the healthcare team. The consensus statement provides a unified view and is supported by the four Chief Medical Officers.