The RCGP carefully selects a number of clinical areas to join its Clinical Priority Programme. The programme aims to raise the profile and increase awareness of important or underrepresented clinical areas in primary care.
We work collaboratively with external partners to plan, implement and review the impact of innovative programmes of work to help GPs and fellow primary healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care for patients. We deliver a range of outputs including e-Learning, resource toolkits, national and regional events, video case studies and publications.
Cancer is one of our five-year enduring priorities. Working in partnership with Cancer Research UK, the project aims to improve early diagnosis, prevention and screening of Cancer by effective use of information from research, national audits and other sources to inform and innovate cancer care in general practice. The Cancer Clinical Priority is also working to raise awareness of the link between alcohol, obesity and tobacco and cancer and embed improvements in general practice via the GP curriculum as well as using GP networks to promote best practice and learning.
RCGP and Cancer Research UK Clinical Champion: Dr Richard Roope
RCGP and Cancer Research UK Clinical Support Fellow: Dr Rachael Marchant
View our Primary Care Cancer Toolkit
Liver disease is one of the five most common causes of premature death in the UK and is the only major cause of death that has a year by year increasing incidence. However, more than 90% of liver disease is preventable. Working in partnership with the British Liver Trust, this project has two aims: improving the detection of risk factors for liver disease in primary care and addressing them before liver disease develops; and improving the early detection of liver disease so that progression to more serious illness can be prevented through appropriate treatment and monitoring. We are working to raise awareness of liver disease as one of the major chronic, preventable, lifestyle-related diseases and to encourage GPs and other primary care staff to take an increasingly important and effective role in its prevention.
Clinical Champion: Dr Helen Jarvis
Clinical Support Fellow: Dr Mead Mathews
View our Liver Disease Toolkit
This five-year enduring priority focusses on increasing recognition of the vital role primary care plays in the management of mental illness and ensuring that primary care colleagues can provide high quality mental health care. The project is developing education and training with a focus on developing listening skills and the promotion of multi-disciplinary training. The Mental Health Priority is also addressing the GP curriculum, core skills and personal development plans.
Clinical Champion: Dr Elizabeth England
Clinical Support Fellow: Dr Faraz Mughal
View our Mental Health Toolkit
This project is delivered in partnership with the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK and the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. The project is working to empower GPs to provide evidence-based information and, where appropriate, interventions to improve patient’s lifestyles. We are developing a toolkit of resources for GPs, CCGs and patients around Physical Activity and Lifestyle and are working with key stakeholders to promote the benefits of increased physical activity and highlight the links to reductions in prevalence of related diseases.
Clinical Champion: Dr Zoe Williams
Clinical Champion: Dr Andrew Boyd
Clinical Support Fellow: Dr Dane Vishnubala
parkrun practice
In an exciting and innovative initiative, the Physical Activity & Lifestyle clinical priority team is partnering with parkrun UK to promote the health and wellbeing of staff and patients. Under this initiative, GP practices across the UK are encouraged to develop close links with their local parkrun to become ‘parkrun practices'.
More information and register for this exciting initiative
The Sepsis Clinical Priority, in partnership with Health Education England raises awareness of Sepsis and the appropriate action GPs could have an impact upon this condition, reducing the burden for the individuals, their families and the wider NHS. The Sepsis Priority is also exploring the impact of the forthcoming new international sepsis definitions, the NCEPOD report into Sepsis, and NICE Guideline and Quality Standard on Sepsis. The project will also encourage the coordination of GPs, ambulance and secondary service in delivering assessment and treatment of possible sepsis, as well as input into public messaging on the illness.
Clinical Champion: Dr Simon Stockley
Clinical Support Fellow: Dr Rachel Marsden
View our Sepsis Toolkit