Representing you

Looking back at 2023, RCGP secured key policy and campaigning successes, including:

The College was referenced in Parliament 73 times

This was across debates and committee work in both houses and over twice as much as any other medical Royal College.

Met with 43 MPs and Peers since the general election

This included meetings with the new Secretary of State, opposition shadow ministers and the new Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

Influenced political party manifestos ahead of the UK general election, securing commitments in support of general practice and our key priorities from each of the major parties

With the help of our members sending over 4500 emails to their local MP and Parliamnetary Candidates, we secured manifesto commitments relating to a range of topics including three on general practice workforce and workload and nine on health inequalities.

The new Secretary of State spoke at our RCGP annual conference

During this speech, we secured a commitment to review red tape and reduce bureaucracy in general practice and merge the GP and specialist registers.

Attended Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem Party Conferences

At these conferences, we met senior MPs and stakeholders across the political spectrum and held a successful event at Labour party conference with the new primary care Minister and over 100 attendees.

Helped secure amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Following our submission to the NPPF consultation (PDF file, 558 KB), we helped to secure amendments to the new framework which will mean local planning authorities and statutory bodies will be required to plan for a broader range of public service health infrastructure (which would include GP surgeries) needs when considering proposals for new housing development.

Provided oral evidence to the COVID-19 inquiry and submitted new evidence on the vaccination programme

We spoke to the inquiry to highlight the key role general practice played in the pandemic and provided further evidence on the GP role in supporting vaccinations.

Policy report launched: GP retention

In October 2024, we launched our new report Looking after the GPs of today to safeguard the workforce of tomorrow, exploring the workforce challenges facing general practice in England and highlighting the pressing need to address the reasons GPs are leaving the profession or reducing their contracted hours.

To accompany this we wrote a joint letter co-signed by other leading health organisations to the Public Accounts Committee calling for the re-opening of the inquiry into the NHS England Long Term Workforce Plan. The press team secured an exclusive article with HSJ to communicate this launch.

Secured a refresh of the Long Term Workforce Plan to focus on addressing the GP workforce crisis

Following our significant policy and lobbying work and an open letter signed by nearly 10,000 members urging the Health Secretary to review the workforce plan, an overhaul of the plan has now been announced.

Policy report launched: health inequalities

In May 2024, we launched our new report Breaking the inverse care law in UK general practice, exploring the impact of the social determinants of health on patients and identifying key recommendations that could be actioned in general practice to help reduce health inequalities.

This was accompanied by joint letter calling on the Government to urgently address health inequalities by reforming general practice funding, and a roundtable with key stakeholders across health think tanks, patient organisations and the NHS to discuss the recommendations and how they could be taken forward.

Launched RCGP safeguarding standards for general practice

To support GPs and other staff working in UK general practice, we developed standards on safeguarding children and adults as part of ongoing holistic care.

Grown our Clinical Adviser network and College Representatives

We now have 105 Clinical Advisers and 51 College Reps who do brilliant work providing clinical input and leadership both internally within the College and externally with stakeholders.

Responded to 28 clinical policy consultations (up from 21 in 2023)

Working with our Clinical Adviser Network and College Reps, we reviewed clinical guidelines and submitted responses to ensure general practice is appropriately considered within key NICE guidelines and other publications.

Responded to 19 consultations from Government and other stakeholders

We submitted evidence and responses to represent the voice of general practice on issues ranging from the 10-Year Health Plan to incentive schemes in general practice.

Survey of ST3 GP Registrar (AiT) Members: snapshot into GP jobs and visa issues

In summer, we undertook a member survey of newly-qualified GPs which allowed us to represent the concerns of members relating to finding appropriate roles post-qualification and difficulties with visa sponsorship to the Secretary of State and NHS leaders.

Secured an additional £82 million of funding for GP recruitment

Following our calls for an urgent intervention to tackle GP unemployment, the new Government announced additional funding via the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. We welcomed this emergency measure but continue to call for a long term sustainable solution that moves more funding into the core contract.

Set a clear position on Physician Associates in general practice

Council agreed a clear stance that there is not a role for PAs in general practice. However, in recognition that responsibility ultimately rests with employers and that there are already around 2,000 PAs working in general practice, we also developed guidance as a practical resource for GPs and practices where PAs are employed.

Sent a clear message on the need for CQC improvement

We called for a pause to CQC inspections and an end to one word ratings, setting out our position in a letter to the Primary Care Minister and continuing to lobby for improvements in efficiency, proportionality and fairness of inspections.

Published a statement on parity for general practice and secured a commitment to merge the GP and specialist registers

In March 2024 we published a statement highlighting the need to ensure GPs are valued and respected with parity of professional esteem. During the Secretary of State's speech at our annual conference, we secured a key win with an announcement of a commitment to merge the GMC registers to formally recognise GPs as Specialists in law.

Looking back at 2023, RCGP secured key policy and campaigning successes, including:

The College was referenced in Parliament 104 times 

This is across debates and committee work in both houses. See a short selection of the MPs and Peers who supported our work.

Launched the RCGP manifesto: ‘Seven steps to save general practice and safeguard our NHS’

we supported over 650 people to email their MP with our manifesto and invite them to attend our upcoming parliamentary launch. Over 20 MPs have confirmed their attendance.

Met with 48 MPs  

This included meetings with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay MP and his opposite number in Labour, Wes Streeting MP. 

Secured a four-month extension for newly qualified international GPs

We led a significant campaign including the publication of our policy report, Opening the door to international GPs (PDF file, 649 KB), and involving over 4,000 GPs writing to the Home Secretary. Following this, the Government agreed to extend the visas of International Medical Graduate GPs by four months. We are continuing to work with officials to try and further improve this policy.

Supported 1447 members writing to their MP on winter pressures 

In March 2023, we launched our latest Fit for the Future GP Pressures report (PDF file, 707 KB) and campaign highlighting the extreme pressures on general practice, which supported members and supporters write to their local MPs. 

Introduced the RCGP advocacy guide 

In March 2023 we also rolled out a new advocacy guide which provides information on how to invite your MP to your practice and run a visit. It has helped RCGP members across the UK advocate for their practice and patients. 

Policy report launched: GP infrastructure 

In May 2023, we published Fit for the future: reshaping general practice infrastructure in England (PDF file, 1 MB), highlighting the urgent need for investment and improvement to bring GP premises up to standard and accommodate expanding teams. Over 450 RCGP members emailed their MP a copy of the report and the issue of GP infrastructure has been raised in parliament a number of times.

Secured a review of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) 

Following our lobbying on reducing bureaucracy and micro incentives, the Department of Health and Social Care has launched a consultation on the future of GP incentives in England. 

Responded to 19 consultations from Government and other stakeholders 

We submitted evidence and responses to represent the voice of general practice on issues ranging from integration within the health care system, to women's health, to major conditions.

Responded to the COVID-19 inquiry 

We responded to the COVID-19 inquiry to provide a clear picture of the key role general practice played in the pandemic.

Responded to 21 clinical policy consultations 

Working with our Clinical Adviser Network, we reviewed clinical guidelines and submitted responses to ensure general practice is appropriately considered within key NICE guidelines and other publications.