As Iona Heath handed over the Presidency of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in 2012, she gave an interview in which she warned of the risks of focusing on practical expediency (contracts) at the neglect of protecting the essence of effective professional practice (continuity of care).1 Twelve years on, we find ourselves back in the same position. The details differ slightly, but at the core is a debate about the future of the profession. It is time, once again, to stand up for the discipline of general practice.

The recent publication of the new RCGP definition of general practice is just one part of the College’s work to do just that.2 It is the product of months of work led by Gail Allsop and Michael Mullholland on behalf of the College. The work recognised the need for an updated, succinct account of the unique contribution of GPs in a rapidly changing NHS and primary care context. Through a series of focus groups, surveys, and discussions, the working group systemically sought and distilled input from stakeholders across the GP community.

As thoughts and ideas were presented to the working group, each was critically examined against a single standard — did it clearly delineate how the GP role …