In the health news

Last year, the RCGP’s press team secured almost 20,000 media hits across print, broadcast and online outlets. The College regularly features in the news to be the voice for general practice on issues that matter to members, including GP workload and workforce, health inequalities and preventive health. We’re frequently quoted in articles covering wide-ranging clinical, health policy and wider societal issues. In the health news’ is our regular round-up of media coverage featuring the College and its spokespeople, and will be updated on a weekly basis.

13 February 2026

ADHD

The College has featured in the Financial Times examining shared care arrangements for ADHD patients diagnosed privately, amid rising demand and long NHS waiting lists. Adrian Hayter, Medical Director for Clinical Policy, is quoted making clear that when shared care is not properly resourced, it can create significant capacity, workforce and safety pressures for GP practices already under intense strain.

Gut health and ageing

The College featured in a BBC News ‘In Depth’ piece on gut health, amid growing public interest in microbiome testing and diet-based interventions for long-term health. Whilst she was still College Chair, Kamila Hawthorne spoke to the BBC, making clear that whilst research being conducted in this areas is positive, it is still developing and stressing that good health and healthy ageing are shaped by multiple factors. 

Calls for primary care investment

RCGPNI featured in UTV coverage highlighting how poor access to GP services can lead to avoidable hospital admissions, particularly for older patients. RCGPNI Chair Ursula Mason stressed that underinvestment in community care is putting patients at risk and increasing pressure on hospitals, reinforcing the need for proper resourcing of general practice to deliver care where patients need it most.

6 February 2026

Statins research

The College appeared across national and regional media commenting on a major new study in The Lancet, indicating the potential side effects of statins may not be as severe as thought. RCGP Chair,  Victoria Tzortziou Brown was quoted by ITV News, the Daily Mail, the Independent, LBC, the Mirror, and the Telegraph - as well as by Press Association, leading to regional and online coverage.

Victoria says the study should be reassuring for patients considering statins - but makes clear that whilst they can be beneficial, they won't be appropriate for all patients.

NHS Scotland Waiting Lists

RCGP Scotland vice chair, Chris Williams, was quoted by BBC News on NHS Scotland waiting times, reinforcing College concerns that long delays in secondary care are pushing additional monitoring and follow-up work into general practice, with a direct impact on GP workload and patient access.

BBC Breakfast Scotland also featured the story, reflecting on how a growing proportion of GP time is now spent managing patients waiting for specialist appointments, reducing capacity to see new patients, triage new presentations, and manage chronic disease.

NHS Health Checks

The College was quoted in a Pulse story, which was picked up by Press Association, leading to national and regional coverage including in The Independent, highlighting concerns that NHS Health Checks are being limited by funding caps in more than 70 areas.

Victoria notes that that inconsistent commissioning risks undermining prevention efforts and leaving patients confused about access to checks designed to reduce cardiovascular risk.

GP IT Systems

Digital Health has highlighted RCGP Scotland’s call for urgent action to modernise GP IT systems, Chris is quoted warning that outdated and fragmented systems are wasting clinical time, increasing workload and posing risks to patient safety, and called for sustained investment in modern, interoperable IT.