A message from the Committee's co-chairs
December 2007
Professor Bhupinder Sandhu and Dr Justin Varney are the newly appointed as co-chairs of the BMA equal opportunities committee (EOC). In taking up their positions, they celebrate the past successes of the committee and are keen to build on the solid foundations of the previous co-chairs. Their goal is to help the BMA to become an exemplar of diversity good practice, valuing, engaging and empowering all of its diverse membership.
Bhupinder says that her vision for the future is to have a strong EOC that works well collectively, sharing a strategic vision with clear aims and objectives.
'Members need to feel better ownership and involvement with the organisation and that their interests will be looked after fairly and effectively. The EOC is helping the BMA’s committees to achieve a profile which reflects membership diversity, and continues to press for easy access to high quality flexible training and to flexible working. I would like to see the BMA acting as a beacon on relevant equality issues affecting doctors’ working lives and medical practice.'
Justin feels strongly that the work of the EOC should hinge on three tenets of integrity, governance and transparency which he defines as:
'Integrity – we must be clear about what needs to be done, as well as being realistic and honest about timescales, barriers and ways forward. The key is good communication in both directions, including the local level. I am very keen that we should support divisions around the equality and diversity agenda.
Governance – is important because as a membership organisation and professional body we must demonstrate best practice ourselves so that we can guide others. Getting it right relies on good governance.
Transparency – means that the EOC must be open and transparent and we will champion this approach to committee business in order to work towards a culture of healthy debate and discussion, clear communication and active engagement with members.'
As well as being involved in various BMA committees, Justin and Bhupinder bring to the EOC much past experience in promoting equality and diversity within their own professional careers:
Justin works closely with the Department of Health Equalities and Human Rights Group and is co-chair of the gay and lesbian association of doctors and dentists (GLADD). He has strong links with community, public and private sector organisations working on equalities agenda. Justin is a consultant in public health medicine which includes a strategic public health lead for children and maternity services, equality, community engagement and campaigns.
As president of the Medical Women’s Federation (MWF), Bhupinder was particularly involved in fostering equality of opportunity for women doctors and patients. This included lobbying on flexible training and working, pension rights and equality and transparency within the clinical excellence awards scheme. Bhupinder works as a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist based at Bristol Children’s Hospital and is Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition currently based at the joint Bristol University and University of the West of England (UWE) Centre for Child and Adolescent Health.