Commentary magazine

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

In conversation

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

Interview
20/06/26
Tobacco Interview

Interview: Smoking out inequality

Since the 1960s, the RCP has been a leader in campaigning to prevent tobacco-related illness. Professor Ollie Minton,Commentary clinical editor, speaks to Professor Sanjay Agrawal, RCP special adviser on tobacco, about the changing landscape, after the latest report Smoking, health and social justice
Interview
19/06/26
Dan Furmedge Commentary (1)

Interview: meet the new vice president for education and training

Earlier this year, Dr Dan Furmedge was elected as RCP senior censor and vice president for education and training (VPET) and officially stepped into the role on 29 June. As a consultant physician in geriatric and internal medicine at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, with experience as a college tutor, training programme director, PACES examiner and, most recently, RCP censor, he brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Interview
06/05/26
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Interview: what it means to be a censor

Dr Anita Banerjee is an obstetric physician, a diabetes and endocrinology consultant and an honorary reader in obstetric medicine at King’s College London. For the last 3 years, she has worked as an RCP censor. As her term comes to an end, she shares her experience in the post with Commentary – and encourages RCP fellows to apply.

Features

Article
10/07/26
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Shaped by you: how RCP members helped to define our 2026–30 strategy

You told us what needs to change, and we listened. From national surveys to face-to-face events and the next generation campaign, members across the UK and globally have shaped a new RCP strategy focused on what matters most to your working lives, your careers and your patients.
Article
03/07/26
Jack Parry Jones Lecture

Celebrating the creation of the College of Intensive Care Medicine

On 1 July 2026, the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) – of which the RCP was one of eight parent colleges – officially became the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM). To mark this event, the new CICM president, Dr Jack Parry-Jones FRCP FCICM, shares his reflections on the changing landscape of intensive care medicine and why this brand new college has so much value for physicians.
Article
20/06/26
Ollie Welcome Column Web Image

June welcome: Professor Ollie Minton

I am a big fan of opera, even with its improbable coincidences, plot twists and sometimes unnecessary tragedy. The foolhardy prince in Turandot is saved only by the ‘heroics’ of act 3 (Nessun Dorma) – its subsequent crossover into the footballing world zeitgeist at the 1990 World Cup was a surprise. In retrospect it could feel like an AI artifice, but we know came from years of mastering the craft and expert teamwork – plus some inspired marketing with the three tenors.
Article
20/06/26
SAS Doctor

From recognition to progression: strengthening SAS careers through specialist roles

Specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors are an essential part of today’s medical workforce, yet their roles, career pathways and senior potential are still inconsistently understood. By bringing together the perspectives of four specialist doctors, and exploring the value that they bring to services, we hope to shed light on what these specialist roles look like in practice – and how doctors and employers can enable progression into these posts.
Article
20/06/26
News Article Top Image

Commentary news round-up: June 2026

Since the last edition of Commentary in April, the RCP has been working to represent our members and support the work of physicians. Read our summary of the news from the last 2 months and the upcoming opportunities.
Article
20/06/26
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Spotlight on the Medicine 2026 abstract competition

As part of the RCP annual conference, we hosted the Medicine 2026 abstract competition, welcoming authors from all career grades to showcase their ideas and hard work to the RCP community.
Article
20/06/26
Adopt A Treasure

Adopt a treasure: early impact and inspiring stories from our supporters

Earlier this year the RCP launched ‘Adopt a treasure’, inviting members, fellows and friends of the RCP to play a direct role in preserving the extraordinary history of medicine. Find out about the ongoing conservation work.
Article
20/06/26
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AI and digital: how physicians are impacted

Dr Anne Kinderlerer, the RCP’s digital health clinical lead and the report’s main author, speaks to Commentary about the NHS analogue to digital shift, and how digital and AI tools can be implemented in a way that is safe and effective for patients and clinicians.
Article
20/06/26
Call The Medical Registar

Call the medical registrar: how to put together a conference

Transitioning from a resident doctor to a medical registrar role can be an exciting but intimidating step.

International

Hear about the work of RCP from across the globe.

International
19/06/26
RCP Iraq Network

Building capacity in Iraqi medical education and healthcare: the establishment, achievements and future vision of the RCP Iraq Network (2021–31)

Dr Shakir Mahmood Muhammed, consultant respiratory physician and member of the RCP Iraq Network steering committee, shares the achievements and the future of the RCP Iraq Network.
International
19/06/26
PAPWA

Medicine as a mission: Pan Arab Women Physicians Association

Dr Maisam Akroush is a consultant gastroenterologist in Jordan, who made history as Jordan’s first female gastroenterologist and hepatologist. She is also founding president of the Pan Arab Women Physicians Association. In an interview, she spoke to Commentary, sharing the story of her career and how she is working to support female physicians in the Middle East.
International
01/05/26
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Get to know our new associate global directors

The RCP assists physicians across the globe with improving healthcare worldwide, but this can’t be achieved without the help of our members and fellows. Our international network is supported through the global vice president, associate global directors (AGDs) and an extensive network of international advisers (IAs).

You might be interested in

Bookings are now open for Med+ 2026!

Join us on Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 November for Med+ 2026, the Royal College of Physicians’ largest specialty conference, taking place at the RCP at Regent’s Park in London, and online.

Bringing together physicians, clinical specialists and healthcare professionals from across the UK and internationally, Med+ 2026 will showcase the latest evidence, innovations and practical insights from more than 15 specialties – helping you stay at the forefront of medicine and apply new knowledge to your clinical practice.

Find out more and secure your place for 2 days of collaboration and vital updates in medicine.

 
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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.

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.