Disabled doctors and disabled medical students
Updated July 2007
Finance
Financial assistance is often needed by disabled doctors with long term conditions. There are various sources of financial support which may be available to a disabled doctor, including the Disability Allowance and the Attendance Allowance. When disability or ill health arises from medical duties in the NHS, doctors are eligible for the NHS industrial injuries benefit scheme. Financial support can also be claimed while studying medicine.
This section contains the following topics:
Benefits now
provides comprehensive information about Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.
BMA Superannuation department
provides guidance on retirement, injury benefit and jobsharing: Disability alliance
publishes the Disability rights handbook and gives advice on social security benefits for disabled people.
Disability living allowance
(DLA) is a tax-free, non-contributory and non-means tested benefit for people aged under 65, (or whose impairment or condition began before the age of 65), who are severely disabled, either mentally or physically, and have needed a lot of looking after for at least three months, or are terminally ill.
NHS pensions agency
the administration centre for 1.6 million NHS pension scheme members and pensioners.
The Rowan Organisation
a registered, non profit organisation that provides support and services to disabled people centred around independent living, helping people to set their own aims and objectives to plan for their future. They assist disabled people to take control of their lives by managing their own support arrangements with funding from Social Services to meet their agreed needs.
Charitable trusts
BMA charities
a group of charities established to help all doctors and their families in times of need. The Hastings Benevolent Fund provides short term help in a crisis to doctors and their dependants, making grants or loans. The Dain Fund helps with the educational expenses of doctors' children where family illness or breakdown threatens to interrupt education at a critical stage.
Royal medical benevolent fund
provides financial assistance and support to members of the medical profession, their spouses, children, widows and widowers, who through illness or misfortune find themselves in need. It aims to provide a lifeline of help and understanding in times of acute crisis and for as long as the need persists.
Financial services
BMAS
provide BMA members with tailored insurance and financial services for both their personal and business needs.
Department for children, schools and families
has information about the financial support available to disabled students in higher education.