In the health news
Publication date: 06 January 2026
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.
6 January 2026
Chickenpox vaccine roll out
The College featured extensively across national, international and regional media outlets as NHS England announced that the chickenpox vaccine will be offered routinely as part of a combined MMRV jab. College Chair Victoria Tzortziou Brown was quoted in The Independent, The Times and The Sun, as well as numerous regional and online outlets, supporting the roll out and encouraging take up. Victoria also spoke to LBC News (interview at 01:46:56) and was quoted widely across commercial and local radio stations – and Medical Director for Clinical Policy, Adrian Hayter, was interviewed on Sky News.
Cold weather
Victoria featured on BBC News as part of their ongoing coverage of the current winter weather, urging people - especially those in high-risk groups - to take care of their health in the cold weather.
RCGP Wales Chair Rowena Christmas also spoke to BBC Wales about staying safe during cold weather and managing common winter illnesses. She reminded audiences that coughs, sore throats and colds can often be managed at home or with advice from a pharmacist and urged people to stay warm and check on vulnerable neighbours during the cold snap.
Fitness Trackers
Victoria was quoted in The Big Issue about the rising popularity of fitness trackers. She acknowledged that that while trackers may motivate people to be more active, the data they collect can’t replace medical advice. She urged companies to be transparent about data use and advised people to choose trusted apps and talk to their GP if they have concerns about their health rather than rely solely on gadgets.
RED-S
The College was quoted defending members on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour during a feature about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), in which it was suggested GPs have a lack of understanding of the condition. Our statement made clear that GPs have the broadest curriculum of any medical specialty, but that the knowledge and skills related to RED-S fall under several specific topics within the GP curriculum framework.
31 December 2025
GP access
The College featured in the Telegraph’s front page story on Lib Dem analysis highlighting the numbers of patients waiting four weeks or more for a GP appointments. RCGP Chair Victoria Tzortziou Brown highlighted the impact of workforce shortages, rising patient need and chronic underinvestment in general practice, calling for sustained investment to improve access for patients.
Victoria also spoke to Times Radio about the story (listen here from 07:20) where she made clear that GPs are just as frustrated as patients by long waits, but are working harder than ever.
A&E pressure
The College has featured in a number of publications, including The Independent, the Telegraph, the Daily Mail and regional papers, following a story by the Press Association on the numbers of patients attending A&E for minor conditions. Victoria explained that patients need to know where to turn when they are unwell and that a properly funded general practice services would ease pressures across the health service, including in A&E.
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