Following the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) on Wednesday 13 March to discuss the role and regulation of physician associates (PAs), the RCP has published the data from its pre-EGM member survey.
We know there is huge strength of feeling among our fellows and members following the EGM debate. We recognise this and we have listened. This morning we have published the data from our pre-EGM survey, making it available to all.
The pre-EGM member survey was run by an independent external provider, Civica Electoral Services. It was sent to all subscribing RCP members (n=12,053) who are practising NHS doctors in all four UK nations. Fellows were not included as they are able to vote in the EGM ballot. It was open for two weeks. We received 2,141 survey responses. This was a 17.8% response rate.
The RCP aspires to be the voice of medicine in the UK and across the world. Globally, our 40,000 fellows and members are clinical leaders upholding the highest standards of patient care and medical education across 30 specialties. Our primary commitment is to our fellows and members, especially our early career stage colleagues, who must be our priority.
To that end, we are undertaking a major governance refresh that is being led by Council members and we are committed to modernising the college and its working practices as quickly as possible.
The EGM ballot will remain open for fellows to vote until 7.30pm on Wednesday 20 March. The results of the EGM ballot will be shared on Monday 25 March. We will honour the outcome of the vote and our next steps will be decided by RCP Council and the RCP Board of Trustees.