Overview

They are the professional medical body responsible for supporting psychiatrists throughout their careers from training through to retirement, and in setting and raising standards of psychiatry in the United Kingdom.  They work to secure the best outcomes for people with mental illness, learning difficulties and developmental disorders by promoting excellent mental health services, training outstanding psychiatrists, promoting quality and research, setting standards and being the voice of psychiatry.

What they do:

• Set standards and promote excellence in psychiatry and mental healthcare.
• Lead, represent and support psychiatrists.
• Work with patients, carers and their psychiatrists. Provide online and printed information on mental health issues and signpost patients to further help.

What they don’t do:

• Take complaints against or discipline psychiatrists. Please visit the General Medical Council (GMC) website to make a complaint.
• Provide a list of or recommend psychiatrists. But they do have a list of current members.
• Offer consultations or personal advice – they do not have psychiatrists based in the College. Please see your GP in the first instance, who will be able to discuss this with you.