One of the strategic priorities of the RCP 2026 – 2030 strategy is to use our voice to advocate for physicians, patients and the future of healthcare.
Working with our members and fellows, we influence government, the NHS, parliament and wider stakeholders in England and Wales to improve patient care, strengthen the medical workforce and tackle the biggest challenges facing health and healthcare.
Our policy and influencing work is shaped by physician expertise, member insight and evidence. Together, these help us champion the issues that matter most to physicians and the patients they care for.
Our three campaigning pillars
Our work is focused on three campaigning pillars that guide all our policy, influencing and campaigning activity.
Workforce
Building the medical workforce the NHS needs now and in the future through investment, training reform and support for physicians at every stage of their careers.
Shaped by members
The voice of our members and fellows is central to our work.
We regularly engage with physicians through surveys, focus groups, advisory groups and direct conversations to understand the issues affecting patient care and the medical profession. These insights help shape our policy priorities, influence our campaigning activity and strengthen our engagement with decision-makers across government and the NHS.
Our expertise
Our work is supported by RCP special advisers and expert members who provide clinical leadership across a range of policy areas, ensuring our influencing work remains evidence-based, clinically led and focused on improving patient care.
Meet our special advisersHow we influence change
Our work includes:
- responding to government consultations and policy proposals
- publishing evidence-based reports, briefings and position statements
- engaging with ministers, parliamentarians, NHS leaders and other stakeholders
- working with partners and coalitions to drive change
- using physician insight and member experiences to shape public debate.
We work closely with colleagues across the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK and through RCP Cymru Wales to influence healthcare policy and improve patient care.
Get involved
We want to hear from members about the challenges facing healthcare and the issues affecting patient care. If you're an RCP member, contact policy@rcp.ac.uk to share your experiences, ideas and priorities.
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