How we're governed
RCGP was founded in 1952 and incorporated by royal charter in 1972.
We are the professional membership organisation for GPs. RCGP is a registered charity, regulated by the Charity Commission. Our charitable objective is:
"To encourage, foster and maintain the highest possible standards in general medical practice"
Leadership
Our leadership team is made up of the Chair of Council, Council Officers, Chair of Trustees, Devolved Council Chairs and the Executive Management Team.
They meet twice a month and provide regular reports to our trustees.
Their role is to translate decisions into actions, monitor and review progress against the strategic plan and address issues affecting general practice.
See our leadership team
Council
Our council makes decisions on strategic and policy issues, professional issues and the overall strategic aims of RCGP. They are governed by council ordinances (75.4 KB PDF), bye laws (151 KB PDF) and standing orders (480 KB PDF).
Council members
There are 18 nationally elected council members who usually serve a three year term, with six places coming up for election each year.
The President is elected by national ballot every two years. Officers are elected or reconfirmed by the council each year. The council also elects the Chair of Trustees and three other Trustees.
More about Council members
Observers
Members are joined at council by up to 12 observers from external organisations including:
- armed forces
- British International Doctor’s Association
- Patients and Carers Partnership Group
Devolved councils
To reflect the devolved nations of the UK we have councils in Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland. They provide support by taking forward the aims and objectives of RCGP and help us address the differences in devolved laws and services
RCGP Faculties
We support our members through a network of local faculties. Each faculty is led by a faculty board, who work voluntarily upholding our vision, purpose and priority goals. Each faculty board appoints a representative to council.
More about our Faculties
Committees and groups
We have a range of committees that represent a specific a cohort of members, area of work or issue. The committee members are always elected as being best placed to represent the subject in hand.
More about our committees and groups
Staff and operations
We are supported by more than 300 staff.
Our work is monitored and directed by programme boards, each of which has member representation to ensure our projects and activities meet the needs of our members.
The college also has two trading companies:
- RCGP Enterprises Ltd
- RCGP Conferences Ltd
They both have their own board of directors who report to the RCGP trustee board.
Conflicts of interest policy
This conflicts of interest policy (PDF file, 364 KB) has been drafted to ensure that all those who work for, with or on behalf of the Royal College of General Practitioners (“RCGP” or the “College”) have guidance on the following:
- Common principles and rules for managing conflicts of interest;
- Advice about what to do in common situations;
- How interests should be approached and managed; and
- Issues and rationale behind the policy.
Modern Slavery Statement
This statement is designed to satisfy the requirements of Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act (2015), by informing our members, students, staff, campaigners and the public about the College and its policy with respect to modern slavery, human trafficking, forced and bonded labour and labour rights violations in its supply chains.