Â鶹Çø

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

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President’s update 

Professor Mumtaz Patel opened the meeting at , the Â鶹Çø’s home in Liverpool. She welcomed new members of Council, including Dr Dan Furmedge as senior censor and vice president for education and training, and paid tribute to colleagues completing their terms on Council, recognising their contributions to the college and the wider profession. 

Mumtaz reflected on the Â鶹Çø’s media coverage during , which amplified the voice and experience of , and flagged Â鶹Çø work in this area, including the and the . 

Council heard updates about the , the next generation campaign, , and the .

Mumtaz noted progress on key policy priorities, including , , , (AI), and . Members also heard about the development of a major new partnership with Professor Sir Michael Marmot on a forthcoming review focused on health inequalities and the social determinants of health. 

Finally, Mumtaz reflected on a busy programme of membership engagement, including , Excellence in Patient Care Awards, , engagement with international medical graduates and .

GIRFT acute care principles

Council reviewed proposed changes to NHS England GIRFT acute care principles. Members welcomed opportunities to improve patient care but stressed the importance of protecting high quality training for resident doctors, supporting appropriate clinical supervision and ensuring guidance reflects modern models of multidisciplinary working.

Governance and renewal 

Alongside policy discussions, Council considered a proposed new process for the annual appraisal of the Â鶹Çø president, intended to strengthen accountability and governance through structured feedback from Council members, senior officers, trustees and staff. Members also approved updates to the standing orders of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine and discussed future work to improve how college awards, lectures and opportunities are promoted to members and fellows, including the Samuel Gee and Fitzpatrick lectures. 

‘Council plays a vital role in helping shape the work of the college and ensuring that members’ perspectives are reflected in our priorities,’ said Mumtaz afterwards. ‘This meeting highlighted the breadth of issues facing physicians today – from medical training and workforce challenges to prevention, neighbourhood health and the future of patient care. We will continue to strengthen the college’s voice and impact on behalf of our members and patients.’ 

Â鶹Çø Â鶹Çø Council

Â鶹Çø Council meets six times a year to debate, develop and approve policy on professional and clinical matters. Council met most recently on 9 July 2026.

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Full Council meeting minutes (open section) are published in the member-only section of the Â鶹Çø 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.