BMA honours and awards
BMA honours are awarded for distinguished service to the BMA. They include:
Gold Medal
Vice Presidency
Association Medal
Fellowship of the Association
The nomination process
Who can submit a nomination?
The criteria for awards, nomination forms and guidance notes for nominations are sent to all division secretaries and committee secretaries. All aspects of a nomination should be treated as strictly confidential and information about it kept from the nominee.
BMA divisions, the national councils and branch of practice committees may all make nominations for BMA honours and awards.
When should nominations be submitted?
Nominations can be submitted at any time but due to the length of the process, it is recommended that initial nominations are submitted as soon as possible after the ARM so that recipients’ names can appear in the annual report of council and so that successful members can be invited to the next annual meeting.
Who should nominations be submitted to?
Nomination forms, including the contact details of four referees, should be sent to the council secretariat - email cohman@bma.org.uk, who will then obtain signed testimonials from the referees.
Who decides whether or not to confer a BMA honour?
The final responsibility for conferring all BMA honours and awards rests with council, normally on the recommendation of the awards and honours subcommittee of the organisation committee.
For the Association Medal and admission to the Roll of Fellows the awards and honours subcommittee of the organisation committee (OC) is responsible for making recommendations to council. A recommendation of the OC is first passed to the nominating body where it must be endorsed by three-fourths of the members present and voting at a meeting of that body. The OC then makes its recommendation to council.
The finance committee is responsible considering nominations for and making recommendations to council for the Gold Medal.
The Vice Presidency is a ceremonial honour, which is awarded rarely. Council has final responsibility for conferring this award.
What are the criteria for BMA honours?
BMA honours should be awarded in recognition of a member’s distinguished and notable service to the association at any level, not only to those holding high profile offices. Admission to the Roll of Fellows can be conferred specifically for work done at a local level.
There are “essential” and “desirable” criteria for each award. Nominators should be satisfied that a candidate meets all the essential criteria. The criteria cover duration of membership and office, length and type of service to the Association and ways in which a member has conspicuously raised the character of the profession.
Association medal
Essential |
Desirable |
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| Duration of BMA membership | 10 years uninterrupted membership |
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| Service to the association | 5 years | 10 years | ||
| Type of service | Outstanding and
sustained service in two or more constituencies one of which must be national
e.g.
|
Member of Divisions Other BMA activity at a UK level not otherwise stated | ||
| Conspicuously raised the character of the profession by: | ||||
| a) Standing as leader of profession and/or | Notable leader of profession/branch of practice not necessarily as an office holder | |||
| b) Service to the profession | Service rendered brought credit to the Association |
Fellowship
Essential |
Desirable |
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| Duration of BMA membership | 10 years uninterrupted membership | |||
| Service to the association | Service as a whole | 7 years in office | ||
| Type of service | Distinguished and notable |
Leadership e.g.
RB representative JMF representative Regional forum representative Branch of practice conference or forum representative |
||
| Conspicuously raised the character of the profession by: | ||||
| a) Standing as leader of profession and/or | Leadership not necessarily as an office holder | |||
| b) Service to the profession | Service rendered brought credit to the Association |
* in this context 5 years in office’ relates to 5 years of activity, not necessarily 5 years as an office holder
Vice Presidency
Essential |
Desirable |
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| Duration of BMA membership | Longstanding (20 years) |
10 years uninterrupted membership | ||
| Service to the association | 12 years of outstanding service | Longstanding (15 years) continuous | ||
| Type of service | Extraordinary and outstanding to the Association |
Leadership within the BMA of National/UK /International standing | ||
| Conspicuously raised the character of the profession by: | ||||
| a) Achievement in delivery of healthcare and/or | Outstanding achievement in the advancement or delivery of healthcare | |||
| b) Standing as leader of profession and/or | Leadership of National/UK /International standing | |||
| c) Service to the profession | Service rendered brought credit to the Association |
Gold medal
Essential |
Desirable |
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| 1) Duration of BMA membership | None** |
20 years minimum | ||
| 2) Duration of office/service (if awarded for 4b,c,and d below) | Minimum 10 years continuous | Minimum 15 years if non-continuous | ||
| 3) Type of service | Conspicuously raised the character of the profession by scientific work, extraordinary professional services or special services to the BMA |
Leadership within the BMA of National/UK /International standing | ||
| 4) Conspicuously raised the character of the profession by: (minimum of two of the following): | ||||
| a) Achievement in medical and allied sciences and/or | Outstanding achievement in the advancement of scientific knowledge | Outstanding achievement in the advancement or delivery of healthcare | ||
| b) Achievement in delivery of healthcare and/or | Outstanding achievement in the advancement or delivery of healthcare | Leadership of National/UK /International standing | ||
| c) Leadership within the profession AND/OR | Of UK/International standing | |||
| d) Service to the profession | Outstanding or special service to the BMA at National/UK /International level |
** if an individual has displayed truly outstanding achievement each case should be considered on merit. Traditionally it has not been essential for an individual to be a BMA member in order for the Gold Medal to be awarded.