The College’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at 12:15 on Thursday 27 March 2025. All 22,685 eligible RCPCH members were invited to vote, either in-person at the College’s Conference in Glasgow or remotely. Online voting closed at 14:00 on Tuesday 1 April.
Members voted on two motions:
- To re-appoint the auditors of the College
- Children’s rights in Gaza
The full text of the motions can be found in the AGM agenda (member login required).
The results of the vote are as follows:
- To re-appoint the auditors of the College: A total of 543 members voted. 392 of these voted in favour, 10 against and 141 abstained. So, by a majority of 97.5% to 2.5%, the motion is passed.
- Children’s rights in Gaza: A total of 808 members voted. 640 of these voted in favour, 146 against and 22 abstained. So, by a majority of 81.4% to 18.6%, the motion is passed.
Responding to the results, RCPCH President Steve Turner said:
The Annual General Meeting is an important event in the College governance calendar. Thank you to all members who participated both in person and online. The ability both to contribute and to vote remotely is particularly important given the working commitments of paediatricians and the number of College members who are based outside the UK.
The College takes seriously its role to facilitate debate among members, and our 2025 AGM heard a wide range of views regarding our member-led motion.
The member’s motion, which has been passed, called on the College to reaffirm its commitment to the protection of children’s rights in Gaza.
A summary of past College statements and actions relating to this issue can be found here.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the discussion. This motion concerned a particularly sensitive issue and the discussion was conducted in a thoughtful and respectful manner.
The College’s Board of Trustees will now assess the implications of this vote and there will be an update in due course.
Comment added on Friday 4 April
The AGM discussion at conference of the member-initiated motion was respectful of a full range of views. It was clear in that discussion that both those in favour and those opposing the motion, were in support of the rights and wellbeing of children in Gaza and in the rest of the world.
People are entitled to hold their own views. However, I have become aware of some disrespectful and unprofessional activity on social media directed towards members who opposed the motion. The College condemns this behaviour in the strongest possible terms.