Commentary magazine

1440 × 760 Px October Commentary

Commentary is the membership magazine of the RCP, delivering authoritative insight and opinion across a diverse range of subjects – including news, thought-provoking features of interest to clinicians and updates on the RCP's engagement with the wider physician community across the globe.

Start with the November welcome columns from Professor Ollie Minton and Professor Mumtaz Patel and scroll down for the full contents of this recent edition. 

Features

Article
25/10/26
Commentary Pictures Mumtaz

November welcome: Professor Mumtaz Patel

Welcome to the latest edition of Commentary. We’re drawing closer to the end of the year, but there is still plenty of work happening across the RCP and lots to look forward to in the next few months.
Article
25/10/26
Ollie Welcome Column Web Image

November welcome: Professor Ollie Minton

Welcome to autumn or, as John Keats put it, ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. First published in 1820, his poem has stood the test of time – unlike his brief career as a medical student at Guy’s Hospital, London.
Article
25/10/26
News Article Top Image

Commentary news round-up: November 2026

Since our last edition of Commentary, the RCP has been working to represent our members and support the work of physicians. Learn more about what we’ve been up to and how you can get involved.
Article
25/10/26
1966 The RCP

1966 and all that: the Royal College of Physicians in 1966

As the RCP celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London (now Clinical Medicine) and Commentary, Harveian librarian Professor Anita Simonds examines college life, the changing NHS, health policy and concerns in medicine and training in 1966.
Article
25/10/26
Patient Voices Top Image

Patient voices: a new exhibition opens at RCP Regent’s Park

A new exhibition at the RCP at Regent’s Park explores how patients have represented themselves and their experience of illness across 4 centuries. ‘Patient voices’ opened at the end of September 2026, and will be open to visitors for the next year.
Article
25/10/26
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Health and homelessness – the role of the NHS

As winter approaches, RCP clinical lead for health inequalities and inclusion health Dr Pippa Medcalf shares why homelessness must be recognised as a health issue, and what the NHS can do to prevent people from falling deeper into crisis. On 26 October 2026, Pippa represented the medical royal colleges at a No10 government summit on ending rough sleeping, bringing the clinical voice into discussions about how we can better support people experiencing homelessness.
Article
14/10/26
Teale Essay Prize 2026

Teale essay prize 2026: the future of general internal medicine training

The Teale essay prize is awarded annually by the RCP to recognise outstanding writing by resident doctors in the physician specialties on key issues facing the profession. Dr Dorinda Chandrabose wrote the 2026 winning essay on the future of general internal medicine (GIM). 
Article
30/09/26
Dipobsmed (1)

Building a safer future for mothers: 5 years of the Diploma in Obstetric Medicine

Dr Alice Cole, the RCP clinical education fellow, shares the development of the Diploma in Obstetric Medicine over the past 5 years – and why education to improve maternal care in the UK is so important.
Article
09/09/26
Top Image What Kind Of Doctor Does This Moment Require

What kind of doctor does this moment require

Paediatrician, researcher and broadcaster Dr Guddi Singh reflects on health inequality, justice-based medicine and why good clinical practice must begin by understanding the world that makes our patients ill.

In conversation

Find all our interviews, opinion pieces, discussions between physicians and more

Interview
25/10/26
Lewis Jones

Interview: elite rugby team physician Dr Lewis Jones

Dr Lewis Jones is an emergency department consultant, alongside working with elite rugby teams since 2005. Last summer, he supported the Red Roses England women’s rugby team as they won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in front of 81,000 fans. He speaks to Professor Ollie Minton, Commentary clinical editor, about sports medicine and how to choose your career direction. 
Interview
24/08/26
Medical training Commentary image

Interview: medical training at a crossroads

The way that doctors are trained shapes not only their own careers, but the care that patients receive. As the medical profession considers how to create a training system that is fit for the future, the ongoing NHS England medical education and training review is examining how postgraduate medical education can better support resident doctors, strengthen the workforce and ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care.
Interview
24/08/26
Professor Keith McAdam interview

Interview: Professor Keith McAdam

Professor Keith McAdam is past RCP associate global director for Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the course of his 5 decades of working in medicine he has worked internationally with his wife Penny and their three daughters, all of who enjoy sport – including cricket.

International

Hear about the work of RCP from across the globe.

International
23/10/26
Global Update In Medicine

The second Global Update in medicine 2026: responding to change, delivering excellence and connecting physicians

Following the success of the inaugural RCP Global Update in Medicine conference in Dubai in 2025, we looked forward to welcoming colleagues from across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and beyond to a face-to-face meeting on 1–3 May 2026. The programme had been developed, the faculty confirmed and preparations were well underway.
International
24/08/26
Mosquito Spraying

The Tuanku Nazrin travelling fellowship

In 2026, Dr Andrew Blanshard was awarded the inaugural RCP-College of Physicians Malaysia Tuanku Nazrin travelling fellowship. He recounts his experience of travelling to Malaysia in May 2026 to Commentary.
International
21/08/26
Jeelani Drabu Top Image

Enhancing palliative care in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir

The Jeelani Drabu Palliative Care Programme was developed in 2019 to support palliative care physicians in the region. Learn more about the programme and recent courses.

You might be interested in

Med+ is now open for bookings

Be part of the RCP's largest specialty conference on Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 November.

Join us in London or online for 2 inspiring days of expert insight, cutting-edge research and the latest clinical updates across 15+ specialties.

Discover expert-led sessions, interactive workshops and valuable networking opportunities designed to support your professional development. Plus, every ticket includes on-demand access, so you can catch up on sessions whenever it suits you. 

 
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Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage

The RCP delivers impactful education that equips doctors to lead, grow and thrive at every stage of their career, with a wide variety of CPD workshops and courses. 

Find out what educational opportunities are avaliable – from early career doctors to senior leaders – covering clinical topics, leadership or teaching skills, and much more. 

 
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Commentary is the membership magazine of the RCP which includes news from the RCP, thought-provoking features of interest to clinicians and updates on the engagement of the RCP with the wider community.

If you would like to submit an article idea to the Commentary team, please read our guidance for authors first. 

Visit this page to see the last year of articles.

To find out more about our articles or write for us, contact Commentary@rcp.ac.uk.