RCP publishes summary of September 2026 Council meeting

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has published a summary of the open section of its September 2026 Council meeting.

As part of the RCP’s commitment to transparency, summaries of open session Council discussions are published online following each meeting:

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RCP publishes summary of March 2026 Council meeting

President’s update

RCP president Professor Mumtaz Patel opened the meeting by updating Council on the RCP’s work to influence national debate, support the medical workforce, transform patient care and tackle health inequalities. Council heard about the RCP’s ongoing engagement with government and parliamentarians, including planned activity at the autumn party conferences and work to influence emerging health legislation. The college has continued to advocate for clinical leadership and action on health inequalities, as well as contributing physicians’ expertise to debates about assisted dying.

Mumtaz updated Council on the RCP’s work to shape the future of medical education and training. RCP representatives continue to contribute to the national medical education training review through working groups and engagement with resident doctors. Council also heard that workforce and training will be one of the RCP’s three main policy priorities, with the next generation oversight group handing over to an advisory group on workforce and training in autumn 2026.

Council noted continued uncertainty around national workforce planning and changes in NHS leadership. The RCP will continue to make the case for a long-term approach that supports the physician workforce and meets the changing needs of patients. Members also welcomed the publication of the RCP view on supporting clinical academic careers, which had been discussed by Council at its previous meeting.

Mumtaz outlined progress on the RCP’s other major policy priorities: clinical transformation and public health and prevention. This includes work on neighbourhood health, inequalities, air quality, tobacco and vaping, and the forthcoming third Marmot review, which is expected to launch at the RCP in December. Council discussed the importance of recognising the different factors that contribute to health inequalities, including sex, ethnicity, poverty, mental health and multiple long-term conditions.

Council also heard about the RCP’s programme of member engagement. Recent activity has included the first summer Committees Day, a college visit to Northampton General Hospital, regional events and Meet your president sessions. Upcoming engagement includes a cross-college event for SAS Week 2026 and the remaining regional Updates in medicine for 2026.

Arrangements for the 2027 RCP elections

Council considered recommendations from the election review group on arrangements for the 2027 RCP elections. Members reviewed data from the 2026 elections, in which collegiate members were able to vote for the first time following the annual general meeting vote in 2025. Overall turnout was 23.5% (6,095 votes from an electorate of 25,985). Turnout among fellows was 27.5%, compared with 18.3% among collegiate members.

Council discussed how the RCP could increase awareness and participation in future elections, particularly among collegiate members. Suggestions included strengthening links between resident doctor representatives and associate college tutors, using regional and international networks, holding hustings for some senior roles and doing more to promote candidates consistently through RCP channels.

Members also considered how to ensure a fair and transparent election process when existing officers stand for elected roles. Council discussed the need to balance officers’ responsibility to continue communicating about the RCP’s work with the importance of avoiding unfair advantages for individual candidates.

Council approved the proposed changes to the 2027 election arrangements in principle. More detailed documentation will return to Council in November for formal approval.

Academic vice president and treasurer

Council reviewed draft role descriptions for the academic vice president (elected) and treasurer (appointed), both of which will form part of the 2027 election process.

Members discussed the experience required of a future treasurer, including the appropriate balance between financial understanding, strategic leadership and the importance of retaining a physician and member perspective in the role. Council also highlighted the need for a suitable handover and transition period between the current and incoming treasurer. Members were invited to provide further feedback on the role descriptions before they are finalised.

Samuel Gee and Fitzpatrick lectures

Council approved recommendations for the next Samuel Gee and Fitzpatrick lectures to be delivered at College Day on 22 March 2027.

The Samuel Gee lecture will focus on autonomous artificial intelligence in the NHS and lessons from skin cancer and will be delivered by Professor Nick Levell. The Fitzpatrick lecture, which will examine the history of hyperglycaemic crises from conditions that were once invariably fatal to the development of international consensus, will be delivered by Professor Ketan Dhatariya. Council also discussed the process for considering nominations and encouraged members to put forward a broad and diverse range of candidates for future invited lectures.

About RCP Council

RCP Council meets six times a year to debate, develop and approve policy on professional and clinical matters. Council met most recently on 22 September 2026.

Full Council meeting minutes (open section) are published in the member-only section of the RCP website once they are approved at the following meeting. The closed section of the meeting is reserved for fellowship and business-sensitive information.

For more information, please contact Council@rcp.ac.uk.