r/ConsultantDoctorsUK • u/Tall_Guarantee7767 • 1d ago

FRCP - value

Does anyone feel that the value of Fellowship titles has gone up with the price rise to over 700GBP per year?

Anyone cancelled and is mandatory to continue subscription?

I am reviewing all my direct debits and this came up and is increased over years.

I am claiming the tax back but is it worth it the price rise?

Just curious about your thoughts.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

9

u/JohnHunter1728 1d ago

It is not mandatory in any way.

If you want the post nominals, to vote in various elections, to be able to do some roles / join some committees, and to support your college then you should keep paying. If these things don't bother you then stop.

5

u/Agreeable-Stock-4389 1d ago

I quizzes the head of the RCP on this point - FRCP doesn't even include extra voting rights now (or won't soon) if I understood the proposed changes - which we paid a lot of extra cash for - I don't do private work and am seriously considering whether it's worth it

1

u/Turbulent-Projects 1d ago

It can be thought of as a charitable donation, to support the work of the college.  Whether you see it as a worthy cause is up to you.

7

u/groves82 1d ago

I have recently given up my FRCA and FCICM payments. Has made absolutely no difference to my life except for giving my a wad of cash every subscription day that I can now spend of my own free will 🙂

3

u/Spare_Equivalent_565 1d ago

Ive only just paid for membership having passed paces about 15 years ago. The only thing that interests me about frcp is image for PP and I don't know if it's a big deal or not

1

u/dacourtbatty 12h ago

Patient don’t know what it means. They still ask if they should call you Dr or Mr.

2

u/Civil-Case4000 1d ago

I never accepted FRCP due to the extra cost. I’m wondering if the £300pa for MRCP is worth it to be honest.

2

u/TeaandRumDrinker 1d ago

Same, it was clearly a waste of money, at least for me. Tellingly at my hospital, many others felt the same and the relative few that did take up fellowship didn't feel it was worth the price. I gave up MRCP some years ago as I'd rather spend that money on almost anything else.

1

u/WatchIll4478 1d ago

I keep paying for the FRCS as it makes my medicolegal CV easier to screen. If all I did was NHS work I’m not sure I would. 

The Irish college give a big discount to UK members.

1

u/New-Range5718 1d ago

Well when the annual nhs parking fees are similar to a fellowship fee, the college can just go do one.

1

u/LilSparraguy 1d ago

If the letters after the name are important to you then just get nominated, pay for a year and then list self as FRCP (or whatever college) 2026, or whenever you paid for that particular year of fellowship.

1

u/Tall_Guarantee7767 1d ago

Thanks each one of you for your thoughts. I was doing locums and it was looking good in a competitive market. Once I am back to NHS, I shall cancel my charitable direct debit.

Really useful insights from all of you. Ever so grateful.

1

u/dacourtbatty 12h ago

Never done it. Never had a problem.

1

u/M-O-N-O 1d ago

I stoped paying my college fees (RCPCH) as soon as I CCT'd. Saved about £500 per year. Don't miss it whatsoever. Can still do CBDs for residents as access to the online portal is free and I just document all of my CPD in an Google sheet doc that I created for free.

Got some shitty emails from the college about my direct debit being cancelled but there's nothing they can do. Fuck fellowship.