Equality and diversity: Improving the working lives of doctors
Research undertaken for BMA Northern Ireland
April 2006
1 Introduction
The British Medical Association is committed to equality in the provision of services to its members [Go to note 1] and acknowledges the important role of training in the areas of equal opportunities. It aims to ensure that all staff are fully aware of their responsibilities, so that unlawful discrimination and its consequences may be avoided. [Go to note 2]
As part of its overall strategy for the promotion of equality of opportunity and valuing diversity within the medical profession and because of its commitment to challenge discrimination experienced by its members during their training and in their workplace, BMA(NI) decided to undertake research into equality and diversity issues, with the aim of improving the working lives of employed members through raising the findings with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Northern Ireland (DHSSPSNI) and employers.
The main objectives of this research were:
- to raise equality and diversity issues amongst BMA members
- to identify the type of equality awareness training that doctors in Northern Ireland have received from their employer (as perceived by members); and
- to seek to identify the extent of perceived discrimination experienced by members.
BMA(NI) also considered this an opportune time to seek membership views on its own role with regard to the promotion of equality of opportunity.