The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) will be setting out our proposals for change at the 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) of RCP fellows on 25 September 2025.
2024 was a challenging year for the RCP.
To help us move forward, we want to become a more modern, forward-looking and inclusive organisation that listens to its members and acts on what you tell us.
We are rightly proud of our long heritage – rooted in the 1518 royal charter and shaped by subsequent acts of parliament – but as the world of medicine evolves, so must we.
Read the results of our membership survey on constitutional reform earlier this year.
Currently, only RCP fellows are allowed to vote in elections for president, vice presidents and elected members of RCP Council.
We think the next generation of physicians should have a say in who leads them.
That’s why we’ll be setting out our proposals for change at the 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) of RCP fellows on 25 September.
Afterwards, we’ll be asking RCP subscribing fellows in good standing to decide:
- whether collegiate members should be able to vote in college elections
- whether we should remove restrictions that limit how and when the RCP president is elected.
An independent provider, Civica Election Services, will oversee an online voting process, which will be open for 2 weeks. Following the ballot, we will publish the results.
If supported by fellows, we will introduce voting changes in elections for vice presidents and elected Council members in 2026.
If fellows tell us they want us to explore amendments to the Medical Act 1860 and royal charter (to widen voting rights in elections for the president), we will take this decision to RCP Council and the Board of Trustees to decide next steps.
Find out more about the AGM. Bookings will open soon.
This is your college. It’s time to have your say.
If you would like to vote online, please make sure you have an active, current email address registered with the RCP. Please visit MyRCP to update your details. You can also email us at membershipqueries@rcp.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)151 318 1979, 0151 318 2187 or +44 (0)203 075 1362 by 31 August 2025.