Communities and groups

The College facilitates a number of communities and groups which bring together members, GPs and subject experts.

Membership communities

Associate in Training (AiT) community

The Associate in Training (AiT) community gives doctors training to be GPs a voice in the development of RCGP policy and initiatives. The community is made up of a representative from each deanery within the GP training system. The chairs elected by fellow national trainees annually.

First5 community

The First5 community gives newly qualified GPs a voice in the development of RCGP policy and initiatives. The community is made up of a representative from each faculty. The chair and deputy chair are elected by the committee members every two years.

Later career and retired members community

The Later Career and Retired Members (LCARM) community is made up of elected LCARM faculty leads throughout the UK. They are here to represent the interests of later career and retired members and through the LCARM Chair, act as the conduit  for local matters to be raised at our national meetings.

Special interest groups

RCGP Special Interest Groups are a community of health professionals with shared interest in advancing specific areas of medicine in general practice, learning or technology. Members meet collaborate and plan new projects and find solutions within their chosen field.

Adolescent health group

The RCGP Adolescent Health Group (AHG), since its inception in 1992, promotes the highest possible standards of health provision for young people in a changing world. The Group meets to share ideas and news, plan new projects about issues related to the health of adolescents, who we define as young people up to the age of 25.

GPs with an interest in nutrition group (GPING)

GPING supports general practitioners and other healthcare professionals to help people with nutritional problems, including obesity and malnutrition, and to increase physical activity in our patients. The group connects front-line GPs, academics, commissioners and those working on policy matters to improve the spectrum of lifestyle risk factors.

Health inequalities standing group

The health inequalities group has been established for over 10 years. It aims to ensure that achieving health equity for all remains a key area of policy and practice. This is with specific reference to the role of general practice.

Health informatics group

The Health informatics group advises the RCGP and other professional bodies on information management and technology in general practice.

Heritage group

Set up to preserve and promote our history and that of general practice. It provides guidance on managing and preserving records and historical artefacts, and helps to organise activities for alumni and retired members.

Learning disabilities group

A group of GPs and some invited representatives of other specialities from all over the UK. The group has special interest in improving the care and outcomes for people with a learning disability. This is by sharing knowledge, learning and experience. This is done both through regular meetings and a WhatsApp group. Find out more about the learning disabilities group.

Neurodiversity special interest group (ND SIG)

The neurodiversity special interest group (ND SIG) is made up of GPs with an interest in neurodiversity. Our primary aims are to improve education in this area; to develop a peer mentoring system for GPs in GPwER roles; to recognise and support neurodivergent patients, colleagues and trainees; and to advocate for policy and resources.

NHS pathways national clinical governance group

The national clinical governance group is a cross-collegiate evidence-based collection who quality improves 111 and 999 calls. Representation, by all relevant colleges and associations is crucial to both maximise the efficacy of the system.

Overdiagnosis group

The overdiagnosis group set in 2014 to explore and develop thinking around overdiagnosis. This group is an informal Google group which communicates through email. Membership is mainly GPs but also students and trainees, specialists, HCPs, members of the public and although mainly UK based also has world-wide members. We're now over 300 strong and hope you will join us to improve thinking around overdiagnosis. This group encourages cognition and we have all taken up increased critical thinking and ethical skills from the interactions.

Secure environments group

The secure environments group is committed to the delivery of health care in the health and justice system to prisoners and detainees which is of the highest possible standards.

Networks

Clinical advisers network

The clinical advisers network allows GPs to get involved: by using their knowledge, experience and expertise to influence clinical policy and practice. This is specifically done by contributing to the development of clinical policy, guidelines and quality standards. The opportunities, which are diverse and flexible, can range from contributing to individual consultations, to year-long commitments developing new guidelines.

Person-centred care network

We have appointed a Clinical Champion, a Clinical Support Fellow and seven Regional Clinical Leads to find out how person-centred care is making a difference across England. They are supported by an online Network of Champions open to clinicians passionate about delivering person-centred care in their practice and their region.

Person-Centred Care Network of Champions

This online network brings together GPs, primary care colleagues and people with lived experience across the four nations who share an enthusiasm for person-centred approaches to health and well-being. The network aims to:

• promote person-centred care approaches in members' own localities
• feed into national pieces of work (for example, through consultations) and be the RCGP's voice for person-centred care
• meet twice per year to plan strategy, and explore good work being carried out across the country to highlight through the project.

For further information, please contact innovation@rcgp.org.uk.