Countdown to Conference 2025

This year’s RCGP Annual Primary Care Conference, being hosted for the first time at the ICC Wales in Newport on 9-10 October, will bring together almost 2,000 GPs and other primary healthcare professionals to debate and discuss the hot topics facing general practice.

"There has been no shortage of major developments for primary care over the past year, and conference is the perfect opportunity to consider how these seismic shifts will impact GPs, our teams and patients,” explains Professor Margaret Ikpoh, RCGP Vice-Chair for Professional Development and Chair of the Conference Management Group.

"It's a chance for us all to come together, to share ideas and collaborate."

Proceedings will kick off with Professor Kamila Hawthorne, addressing delegates for her final time as RCGP Chair before demitting office in November. The second day will begin with an address from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in Wales, Jeremy Miles MS.

Other keynote speakers include:

• Professor Bob Klaber, Director of Strategy, Research & Innovation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, on the importance of kindness in medicine.
• Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, who will deliver the College’s John Hunt lecture.
• Professor Sally Lewis, South Wales GP and internationally renowned expert in value-based healthcare.
• Dr Aziza Sesay, GP educator and founder of "Talks with Dr. Sesay" - a social media-based platform offering patient advice.
• Author Polly Morland, who will be in conversation with RCGP Wales Chair Dr Rowena Christmas, the subject of her award-winning book ‘A Fortunate Woman: a country doctor’s story’.

"One of the highlights of the Conference for me is the inspiring – and often challenging - stories you hear in our spotlight sessions," says Professor Ikpoh.

"In previous years, we've heard from speakers with lived experience of addiction, neurodiversity and FGM. We’ve heard from those who have worked in war zones, and those at the forefront of tacking health inequalities in their communities. Their stories really stick with you and can lead to lasting changes in your professional and personal life. This year, we've got another fantastic line up.”

This year’s popular spotlight sessions will feature BBC presenter Ashley Jean-Baptiste on his experiences of growing up in care; Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton on overcoming adversity in early life to become one of the UK’s most senior female firefighters; and sexual health and HIV consultant Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan on her own experience of ‘medical silencing’, when doctors don't listen to the needs of patients.

Outside of the plenaries, the conference’s comprehensive programme of concurrent sessions has been carefully curated cover as many ‘hot topics’ in primary care as possible, platforming a breadth of experts, academics and practising GPs.

Delegates will have the opportunity to attend sessions on tackling health inequalities through 'social supermarkets', the ethical considerations associated with prescribing weight-loss medication, the impact of current visa rules on GP training, and the GP's role in identifying victims of exploitation by 'county lines' gangs.

But conference isn’t all about learning, Professor Ikpoh explains: "One of the many attractions, especially for those GPs in the beginning stages of their career, are the chances for face-to-face meetings with like-minded peers.

"Conference is an ideal opportunity to make connections with those who share your professional and personal interests both during sessions but also at the social events, or - if you wake up early enough - the annual fun run at 7am on the Friday."

There’s still time to register, either for in-person or virtual access. Find out more about the RCGP Annual Conference can – including the full programme and registration process.