Representing you

Our Policy and Campaigns team works to influence policy and hold Governments to account across the UK. We advocate on behalf of GPs, their wider teams and patients at the highest levels, and promote the crucial role of general practice in the NHS.

Three women in conversation

We promote the tireless work of GPs and campaign to ensure that all patients can receive high quality care when they need it. Read our definition of a GP.

We lead the conversation around health policy with our policy work and are campaigning for the best deal for general practice from the Prime Minister's 10-year plan for the NHS.

In 2022, RCGP has secured key policy and campaign successes, including:

Contact our Policy and Campaigns team

Email: policy@rcgp.org.uk 

Phone: 020 3188 7400

Policy and campaigning priorities 2023-26

For 2023-26, our policy and campaigns priorities will be aligned to the RCGP Strategic plan: Building a sustainable future for general practice.

The priorities which our policy and campaigning work will focus on are:

  1. Tackle the workforce and workload crisis
  2. Reduce the increasing gap in health inequalities
  3. Respond to the climate emergency

You can read full details on the strategic plan on the about RCGP webpage.

The RCGP general election manifesto for England sets out seven steps to save general practice and safeguard our NHS.

RCGP regularly produces policy statements and reports setting out the College's position on important issues affecting primary care.

Our Clinical Policy programme leads on the development of position statements for clinical policy and practice.

The RCGP Research Programme works in a number of ways to help ensure robust evidence remains at the heart of what we do.

We believe that with the right tools, skills and investment, general practice can continue to deliver world-class, place-based patient care and being a GP can be the best job in the world.

RCGP Northern Ireland continues to seek creative opportunities to engage with key decision makers and informers within the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Health Service in Northern Ireland.

We have built a strong working relationship with the Scottish Government, in particular working directly with them to deliver The Healthcare Quality Strategy for NHS Scotland.

RCGP Wales works closely with a range of stakeholders to support GPs and promote excellence in primary healthcare in Wales.

The College responds to many consultations each year and welcomes input from our members.

The RCGP runs a programme for the endorsement of external stakeholder documents and projects. This programme gives organisations the opportunity to apply for RCGP endorsement of their work.

What is a GP?

Read the RCGP definition of what a GP is, and the important work they do.

Definition of a GP
A woman with long dark hair and wearing an animal print top smiles while in conversation with a bearded man.