The current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly changing situation which is being monitored carefully by public health bodies. The College is committed to supporting the welfare of our Fellows and Members, staff and all those visiting the College or undertaking work on behalf of the College. Our response and planning is firmly based on the official advice and guidelines available for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Health Protection Scotland, Public Health England and the World Health Organization.
The College is committed to responding to the position as it changes. Our examination, education and ceremonial activities involve gatherings of people, of various sizes, in multiple UK and international locations. All require travel and time away from our places of work.
We aim to minimise disruption to any of our activities but appreciate that spread of the infection could mean that the cancellation of any of our examinations, educational events or diploma ceremonies is mandated by government.
Education and Training Events
The College holds events across the UK and internationally and we are putting alternative arrangements in place to ensure delegates can access our education events and resources. Our approach depends on the event, so please visit our Events Calendar for further information.
MRCP(UK) Exams
As a consequence of the ongoing global COVID-19 situation, the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK has taken the extremely difficult but necessary decision to cancel all MRCP(UK) examinations in the UK and internationally from Monday 16 March until September 2020. Further information is available here and on the MRCP(UK)’s website.
External Hire of the College
The College is committed to supporting the welfare of all those visiting the College and we have made the difficult decision to cancel all commercial events taking place from Monday 23 March to Thursday 30 April. Further information is available on the venue website.
Covid-19 Updates
The College has been updating Members and Fellows on the current situation regarding the virus and you can find the latest information and advice here.
Information and Advice
Please click the headings below to find a collection of external website and resources with the latest information and advice on COVID-19.
Advice
- Infection prevention and control advice for acute care settings (Scotland)
- CMO letter supporting doctors on COVID-19
- Joint trainees and members' statement on Covid-19
- Public Health England COVID-19 information page
- The World Health Organization suite of resources
- The World Health Organization has also made a database on the virus available
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suite of resources
- The UK Department of Health suite of resources
- NHSinform COVID-19 information page
Scientific resources
- Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Wiley Resources
- Elsevier Coronavirus Information Center
- Springer Nature
- The Lancet COVID-19 Resource Centre
- Free access to OUP resources on coronavirus and related topics
- Set of resources from COVID - including access to GIDEON (Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network)
Clinical support resources
- NHS England and NHS Improvement coronavirus information
- Updated topic summary on virus from UpToDate
- Updated topic summary on virus from Dynamed (access with your NHS OpenAthens credentials) -
- Updated summary topic from ClinicalKey (access with your NHS OpenAthens credentials (ongoing trial)
- Overview on virus from BMJ Best Practice (access with your NHS OpenAthens credentials)
- Critical care support advice from the Cochrane Collaboration - Coronavirus (COVID-19): evidence relevant to critical care
- From NHS Scotland Knowledge Network - Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information & Guidance