This joint report, written by members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of General Practitioners, has arisen as a result of increasing recognition of the need to address patients’ psychological welfare as well as their physical needs. Physical illness is stressful and often places great demands on patients and their families. A general practitioner (GP) is usually the first health professional to whom people turn when they develop symptoms. They are, therefore, ideally placed to elicit patients’ concerns about their symptoms, as well as providing appropriate investigation and management.