The
Royal College of Physicians, sometimes referred to as the
Royal College of Physicians of London to differentiate it from other similarly-named bodies, is a British professional body of Doctors and Physician Associates of
general medicine and its subspecialties. It was originally founded as the
College of Physicians when it received a
Royal Charter in 1518 from
Henry VIII of England, affirmed by
Act of Parliament in 1523; it is not known when the name "Royal College" was first assumed or granted, but it was finally legally confirmed only in 1960 (by the Royal College of Physicians of London Act, which was primarily required in order to move the premises of the College outside of the Cities of London or Westminster to Regent's Park). The college has been continuously active in improving the practice of medicine since its foundation, primarily though the accreditation of physicians. It is a member of the UK
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.