Commentary magazine

1440 × 760 Px September

Commentary is the membership magazine of the RCP, delivering authoritative insight and opinion across a diverse range of subjects – including news, thought-provoking features of interest to clinicians and updates on the RCP's engagement with the wider physician community across the globe.

Start with the September welcome columns from Professor Ollie Minton and Professor Mumtaz Patel and scroll down for the full contents of this recent edition. 

Features

Article
24/08/26
Commentary Pictures Mumtaz

September welcome: Professor Mumtaz Patel

Welcome to the latest edition of Commentary. I hope you've all had a restful summer. It has been a busy and productive period for the RCP, and this issue showcases some of the work and achievements from across the college.
Article
24/08/26
Ollie Welcome Column Web Image

September welcome: Professor Ollie Minton

Here in the UK, we continue to swelter through a summer of heatwaves, pausing only to bring you our September edition of Commentary.
Article
24/08/26
News Article Top Image

Commentary news round-up: September 2026

Since our last edition of Commentary, the RCP has been working to represent our members and support the work of physicians. Learn more about what we’ve been up to and how you can get involved.
Article
24/08/26
Global Womens Leaders

From RCP impact to women’s global leadership: a journey of transformation

Growing up in Pakistan, I realised very early that the lives of many girls revolve around constraints imposed upon them, to the extent that sometimes even their birth is questioned rather than celebrated. Decisions about their education, career or marriage are made for them – not by them. In this process, many women lose their voice; some learn to be content with very little, but a rare few begin to challenge the norm. I did that.
Article
24/08/26
Chris Packham

Why physicians must lead the prevention agenda

Dr Chris Packham, RCP special adviser on public health and prevention, and chair of the public health and prevention advisory group shares his reflections and updates on the RCP's preventative work.
Article
24/08/26
PRSAS

Celebrating 50 accredited services: reflecting on Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services Accreditation Scheme's journey and the road ahead

Reaching 50 accredited pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services is a significant achievement for the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services Accreditation Scheme (PRSAS). It represents far more than a number. It reflects years of collaboration, quality improvement (QI) and commitment from services, assessors and stakeholders across the UK – all working towards a shared goal of delivering consistently high-quality pulmonary rehabilitation for patients.
Article
24/08/26
EPCA commentary logo

Excellence in Patient Care Awards 2026

These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of RCP members and fellows worldwide, who are driving improvements in patient care through education, clinical practice, research and policy. Meet the 2026 winners.
Article
10/07/26
Strategy 1

Shaped by you: how RCP members helped to define our 2026–30 strategy

You told us what needs to change, and we listened. From national surveys to face-to-face events and the next generation campaign, members across the UK and globally have shaped a new RCP strategy focused on what matters most to your working lives, your careers and your patients.
Article
03/07/26
Jack Parry Jones Lecture

Celebrating the creation of the College of Intensive Care Medicine

On 1 July 2026, the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) – of which the RCP was one of eight parent colleges – officially became the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM). To mark this event, the new CICM president, Dr Jack Parry-Jones FRCP FCICM, shares his reflections on the changing landscape of intensive care medicine and why this brand new college has so much value for physicians.

In conversation

Find all our interviews, opinion pieces, discussions between physicians and more

Interview
24/08/26
Professor Keith McAdam interview

Interview: Professor Keith McAdam

Professor Keith McAdam is past RCP associate global director for Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the course of his 5 decades of working in medicine he has worked internationally with his wife Penny and their three daughters, all of who enjoy sport – including cricket.
Interview
24/08/26
Medical training Commentary image

Interview: medical training at a crossroads

The way that doctors are trained shapes not only their own careers, but the care that patients receive. As the medical profession considers how to create a training system that is fit for the future, the ongoing NHS England medical education and training review is examining how postgraduate medical education can better support resident doctors, strengthen the workforce and ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care.
Interview
20/06/26
Tobacco Interview

Interview: Smoking out inequality

Since the 1960s, the RCP has been a leader in campaigning to prevent tobacco-related illness. Professor Ollie Minton,Commentary clinical editor, speaks to Professor Sanjay Agrawal, RCP special adviser on tobacco, about the changing landscape, after the latest report Smoking, health and social justice

International

Hear about the work of RCP from across the globe.

International
24/08/26
Mosquito Spraying

The Tuanku Nazrin travelling fellowship

In 2026, Dr Andrew Blanshard was awarded the inaugural RCP-College of Physicians Malaysia Tuanku Nazrin travelling fellowship. He recounts his experience of travelling to Malaysia in May 2026 to Commentary.
International
21/08/26
Jeelani Drabu Top Image

Enhancing palliative care in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir

The Jeelani Drabu Palliative Care Programme was developed in 2019 to support palliative care physicians in the region. Learn more about the programme and recent courses.
International
19/06/26
RCP Iraq Network

Building capacity in Iraqi medical education and healthcare: the establishment, achievements and future vision of the RCP Iraq Network (2021–31)

Dr Shakir Mahmood Muhammed, consultant respiratory physician and member of the RCP Iraq Network steering committee, shares the achievements and the future of the RCP Iraq Network.

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Med+ is now open for bookings

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Discover expert-led sessions, interactive workshops and valuable networking opportunities designed to support your professional development. Plus, every ticket includes on-demand access, so you can catch up on sessions whenever it suits you. 

 
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Explore our CPD portfolio by your career stage

The RCP delivers impactful education that equips doctors to lead, grow and thrive at every stage of their career, with a wide variety of CPD workshops and courses. 

Find out what educational opportunities are avaliable – from early career doctors to senior leaders – covering clinical topics, leadership or teaching skills, and much more. 

 
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Showcase your work in the Med+ abstract competition

Submit research in clinical practice, education, quality improvement, sustainability and more for the chance to win up to £500, Medicine 2027 tickets and a certificate. Book your place today and submit your abstract by 30 August 2026. 

 
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Commentary is the membership magazine of the RCP which includes news from the RCP, thought-provoking features of interest to clinicians and updates on the engagement of the RCP with the wider community.

Visit this page to see the last year of articles.

To find out more about our articles or write for us, contact Commentary@rcp.ac.uk.