Royal College of General Practitioners - Online Learning Environment

Available until 20 November 2025.

The 29th Managing addictions in primary care conference took place on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 January 2025 in Manchester. 

This conference is the largest event in the UK for GPs, shared care workers, nurses and other primary care staff, specialists, commissioners and researchers interested in and involved with the Management of people with Addictions in Primary Care (MAPC). It is now in its 29th year with a loyal following but always attracts new faces from primary care. As usual, we will be covering important issues for the field including drug and alcohol problems including both a beginners guides as well as more specialist issues, managing harms from behavioural addictions such as pornography.  

With alcohol and drug related deaths still at an all time high, a harm reduction approach is paramount along with tackling stigma (so people don’t shy away from help).

We are really excited to go back on tour – yes we will be at an excellent iconic venue, The Lowry in the Quays area of Manchester, with plenty of room to make the best of workshops, interaction, networking and learning from each other. This includes showcasing great organisations such as Camerados, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and The Spider Project, which have been ongoing for many years providing exceptional services for people in recovery from addiction.

Learning objectives: 

•    Increase understanding of current interventions for the prevention, assessment and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems

•    Increase understanding of what interventions are possible to deliver in Primary Care and what require specialist help

•    Increase knowledge of drug and alcohol policies in the UK and how they are implemented in primary care

•    Increase knowledge of links between multiple needs, health inequalities and drug and alcohol use

Available until 20 November 2025.

The 29th Managing addictions in primary care conference took place on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 January 2025 in Manchester. 

This conference is the largest event in the UK for GPs, shared care workers, nurses and other primary care staff, specialists, commissioners and researchers interested in and involved with the Management of people with Addictions in Primary Care (MAPC). It is now in its 29th year with a loyal following but always attracts new faces from primary care. As usual, we will be covering important issues for the field including drug and alcohol problems including both a beginners guides as well as more specialist issues, managing harms from behavioural addictions such as pornography.  

With alcohol and drug related deaths still at an all time high, a harm reduction approach is paramount along with tackling stigma (so people don’t shy away from help).

We are really excited to go back on tour – yes we will be at an excellent iconic venue, The Lowry in the Quays area of Manchester, with plenty of room to make the best of workshops, interaction, networking and learning from each other. This includes showcasing great organisations such as Camerados, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and The Spider Project, which have been ongoing for many years providing exceptional services for people in recovery from addiction.

Learning objectives: 

•    Increase understanding of current interventions for the prevention, assessment and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems

•    Increase understanding of what interventions are possible to deliver in Primary Care and what require specialist help

•    Increase knowledge of drug and alcohol policies in the UK and how they are implemented in primary care

•    Increase knowledge of links between multiple needs, health inequalities and drug and alcohol use

The 29th Managing addictions in primary care conference will take place on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 January in Manchester.

This joint RCGP and Addiction Professionals, Managing Addictions in Primary Care 2025 conference (MAPC), is one you won’t want to miss. This is the largest event in the UK for GPs, shared care workers, nurses and other primary care staff, specialists, commissioners and researchers interested in and involved with the management of people with addictions in primary care.

MAPC is now in its 29th year with a loyal following but always attracts new faces from primary care. As usual, we will be covering important issues for the field including drug and alcohol problems including both a beginners guides as well as more specialist issues, managing harms from behavioural addictions such as gambling and porn. With alcohol and drug related deaths still at an all time high, a harm reduction approach is paramount along with tackling stigma (so people don’t shy away from help).

We are really excited to go back on tour – yes we will be at an excellent iconic venue, The Lowry in the Quays area of Manchester, with plenty of room to make the best of workshops, interaction, networking and learning from each other. This includes showcasing some local good practice such as the work of the Urban Village Medical Practice which has been ongoing for many years – providing excellent primary care services for homeless people.

Whilst we are happy we can offer the hybrid option of live streaming, we encourage you to attend in person to inspire each other and share best care in General Practice as we have done in previous years.

Learning objectives: 

• Increase understanding of current interventions for the prevention, assessment and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems
• Increase understanding of what interventions are possible to deliver in primary care and what require specialist help
• Increase knowledge of drug and alcohol policies in the UK and how they are implemented in primary care
• Increase knowledge of links between multiple needs, health inequalities and drug and alcohol use

Dr Stephen Willott, GP, Clinical Lead for Alcohol & Drug Misuse, Public Health Dept, Nottingham City Council 

Kate Halliday, Executive Director, Addiction Professionals 

Early bird prices until Thursday 14 November:

One-day ticket: £219

Two-day ticket: £299

Standard prices from Friday 15 November:

One-day ticket: £265

Two-day ticket: £365

Please note, one-day tickets are limited. 

In partnership with:

Available until 24 September 2025.

Available until 29 December 2025.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) issues account for up to 30% of general practitioner consultations, representing a significant clinical and societal burden. MSK disabilities often persist longer than other conditions, leading to reduced quality of life and broader socioeconomic implications. GPs play a crucial role in early diagnosis, effective management, and preventive care for MSK conditions to minimise disability and encourage healthier lifestyles.

This conference aims to empower primary care practitioners to enhance patient outcomes and promote physical activity as a preventive and therapeutic strategy.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this conference, participants will be able to:

• Strengthen diagnostic skills: recognise common and rare musculoskeletal conditions in primary care through improved clinical examination and history-taking techniques. Differentiate between inflammatory, mechanical and systemic causes of MSK symptoms.
• Enhance management strategies: increase confidence in delivering evidence-based management plans. Explore the latest guidelines and treatments for conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and soft tissue injuries.
• Improve patient outcomes: apply practical strategies to improve patient education, self-management, and adherence to treatment plans. Understand when to refer patients for specialist care and how to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, such as physiotherapists and rheumatologists.
• Encourage preventive care and physical activity: recognise the importance of early intervention to reduce the risk of long-term disability.

Topics include:

• Paediatric rheumatology
• Physical activity
• Gout
• Osteoporosis
• Hand disorders
• Back and hip
• Shoulder and knee

Conference Chair:

Dr Jean Wong, GPwER Sports and Exercise Medicine, SEM ST6

Available until 21 August 2025.

Join us for this insightful conference focusing on improving and expanding access to mental health care in line with the NHS long-term plan. Discussions will address the critical role of primary care in supporting patients with diverse mental health conditions, recognising that current systems often fall short for both patients and professionals. The challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased workload pressures and heightened mental health needs.

Our experienced speakers will provide evidence-based information tailored to the needs of primary care. You'll receive practical advice and useful resources to support patients dealing with a range of difficulties, including depression, psychosis, eating disorders, and perinatal mental health issues. You will learn how to support patients dealing with a range of difficulties, including depression, psychosis and eating disorders mental health problems. We will also discuss the limitations of current arrangements and the need for comprehensive solutions beyond NHS talking Therapies. By the end of this event, you will be better equipped to identify and meet the mental health needs of your patients and manage the increasing demands on primary care services.

Topics include:

• Management of people with depression in primary care
• Eating disorders
• Management of people with complex emotional needs
• Managing children with mental health problems in primary care
• Postnatal depression and puerperal psychosis
• Managing people with psychosis in primary care 
• Practitioner wellbeing 
• Bipolar disorder