In the health news

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.

28 November 2025

Visa issues for IMGs

The College featured in The Times after raising serious concerns about how current visa rules are forcing newly qualified international GPs to consider leaving the UK. The College has written to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calling on her to reform visa rules so that GPs from overseas have the right to apply for indefinite leave to remain upon completion of GP training in the UK. The article speaks to Dr Ray Zheng Liang Tan, a UK-trained GP who went back to his home country of Malaysia when he was unable to find a job in the UK.

Read our full story and letter to the Home Office

Prostate cancer screening

The College has responded to the National Screening Committee’s recommendation not to introduce a whole-population prostate cancer screening programme. We make clear that whilst we want the best outcomes for men with prostate cancer, screening does not come without risks and must be evidence based. You can read our statement here

Kamila Hawthorne also spoke to The Guardian about the role of the GP in identifying and diagnosing prostate cancer.

New asthma treatment trial

Kamila was also quoted in The Guardian online and in print on new trial results showing that a monthly injection could help control severe asthma in patients who do not respond to standard treatments.

GP Contracts

The College featured in Pulse responding to the Government’s decision to remove the BMA’s exclusive role in negotiating the GP contract in England, and instead consult with a range of organisations, including the RCGP.

The RCGP was also referenced the The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent and LBC’s coverage of this decision.

25 November 2025

GP unemployment

The College landed an exclusive full-page Guardian article on our polling of practice managers, showing that while 61% of practices need to recruit a GP in the next year, 92% cannot afford to do so.

The article highlighted our open letter to the Health Secretary signed by over 8200 GPs and GP Registrars, urging him to ensure that the forthcoming 10-year Workforce Plan commits to train, recruit and retain the GPs needed to deliver safe and timely care.

RCGP Chair Kamila Hawthorne gave interviews to LBC (10.50 in) and LBC News (47.50 in) – leading to coverage throughout the day - highlighting the need for ring-fenced funding for general practice so that surgeries can hire the GPs they need.

Read our statement and letter

Safety alert issued to healthcare over patient allergy error

The College featured in The Scotsman and a number of other regional papers regarding a patient safety alert issued alongside NHS England and other royal colleges, over mis-recorded penicillin allergies in clinical systems.

Northen Ireland free care

The College featured in the News Letter, both digitally and in print, after responding to comments from the BMA Northern Ireland chair on the future of GP funding models.

RCGP reaffirmed that general practice in Northern Ireland must remain free at the point of need and publicly funded, rejecting suggestions of moving towards the Republic of Ireland’s mixed public–private system.

Future of 30 Euston Square

The College’s announcement about the potential move from its current London headquarters at 30 Euston Square was featured in Pulse.

Read our full statement