This edition focuses on new beginnings as we welcome Dr Hilary Williams to her role as clinical vice president of the RCP and Dr Stephen Joseph, newly elected RCP Resident Doctor Committee (RDC) co-chair. We also say thank you and goodbye to Dr Anthony Martinelli, outgoing co-chair of the RDC. They all recognise the challenges facing resident doctors and reflect upon how they tackle these in their college roles.

We highlight the hard work undertaken by RCP members to make positive change, such as award-winning projects in the Excellence in Patient Care Awards. Training is another area where the RCP is leading on transformation; this is one focus of the RCP Next Generation Oversight Group, and we have also learnt more about alternative training pathways being introduced in some parts of the country. Involvement with the RCP includes local impact, such as opportunities featured in the article about getting involved with your region. Dr Mumtaz Patel, RCP president, also updates us about her global visits over the summer.

Education is another key theme. The article about the evolution of medical education reminds us that while much has changed in education, the essence of being a doctor is unchanged: making sense of uncertainty, balancing risk, and translating knowledge into care. Practical ways to achieve this are highlighted in the RCP Managing multiple medicines toolkit, which we spotlight in an interview with some of its authors.

We feel privileged to be a part of the RCP and work with colleagues striving to shape education and policy at a local, regional and national level. We finish by saying a huge thank you to the Commentary team (particularly our editor Bethan Roberts) – we never would have achieved this without them. We hope you all enjoy reading this edition.