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The representation of medical academics

FAQs about the BMA and medical academics

What support is available for academics from the BMA?
Academics are able to contact askBMA with any employment related enquiries for and support. Advisors will discuss the members’ information requirement and queries and assess the need for local representation. The askBMA service is backed up by regional offices across the England and offices in the devolved nations with qualified Industrial Relations Officers attached to the medical schools if further assistance is needed.

The MASC also has a Regional Services Liaison Group which meets throughout the year to update on both regional and central issues.

The MASC encourages academics to join their trust Local Negotiating Committee so that they can keep up to date with and feed into any employment issues relating specifically to academics.

What is the Medical Academic Staff Committee (MASC)?
The MASC is a BMA branch of practice committee that is responsible for representing the interests of doctors employed by a university or research organisation. The MASC works with university and NHS employers, and the Department of Health Research and Development Directorate to ensure that there are sufficient incentives to attract and retain doctors in the discipline. The MASC also has input into key policy issues affecting academia at a national level. There are also devolved national MASC’s which handle the issues relating specifically to that nation.

What has the MASC done for academics recently?
Recent achievements of the MASC include:

• Active liaison with the Department of Health Research and Development Branch and other stakeholders to facilitate improved recruitment to academic training programmes. For more information go to: www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/Hubmoderisingmedicalacademiccareers
• Agreeing a memorandum of understanding on joint working between NHS and University Employers.
• Supporting the Higher Education Funding Council funded 'Women in Academic Medicine' project which involved the recruitment of male and female doctors across all areas of health care to investigate the barriers to career progression. A summary of the project and the recommendations made is available
• Producing an annually updated report on the employment conditions at UK medical schools.

What does being a member of MASC involve?
The MASC meets three times per year to discuss issues relevant to both academics and the profession as a whole. Committee members undertake work throughout the session where necessary and represent the MASC at meetings of other Branches of Practice and BMA committees. Electronic discussion and consultation takes place via the MASC list server.

How do I become a member of the MASC?
The MASC is made up of 16 members elected by the Conference of Medical Academic Representatives (COMAR). You therefore need to attend COMAR to be elected to the MASC.

What is the Conference of Medical Academic Representatives (COMAR)?
COMAR is the BMA’s annual representatives conference for doctors employed at higher education institutions and medical charities. It is an annual opportunity for medical academics across the UK to meet, discuss key issues and set priorities for the coming session. Attendees at the conference are involved in interactive sessions during which they put forward their views and in doing so help to determine the policy for the MASC. All representatives at COMAR hold office for one year starting from the beginning of annual conference. Between meetings of COMAR, representatives are updated on the business of the MASC electronically and be able to contribute to electronic debates on topical issues. Unless elected to MASC, COMAR representatives are not normally expected to attend more than one meeting per year.

How can I attend COMAR?
COMAR 2008 will take place on Friday 16 May 2008 at BMA House. There are voting places for medical academics to attend from each medical school and higher education institutions. All members of the MASC for the current session (2007-2008) are entitled to attend the conference. Non-voting observer seats may also be available. For further information or to register an interest in attending please contact the MASC secretariat at info.masc@bma.org.uk.

How do BMA academics communicate?
Members of MASC and COMAR subscribe to electronic list servers which enable electronic communication, consultation and discussion throughout the year about key issues affecting academic medicine when members are otherwise unable to meet. Relevant information and consultations are also circulated on the list servers.

In addition, bi-monthly electronic newsletters on current activities are sent to academics who have registered their email addresses with the BMA.

Useful contacts.
askBMA: 0870 60 60 828
MASC Secretariat: info.masc@bma.org.uk
Scottish MASC: bmascotland@bma.org.uk
Northern Ireland MASC: info.belfast@bma.org.uk
Welsh MASC: info.cardiff@bma.org.uk

Officers of the Committee
Professor Michael Rees - Co-chair
Dr Anita Holdcroft - Co-chair
Professor Geraint Rees - Deputy chair
Dr Peter Dangerfield - Deputy chair and Chair of COMAR
Dr Sumantra Ray - Deputy chair of COMAR

Mr David Adams - Chair Northern Ireland MASC
Mr Philip Belcher - Chair Scottish MASC
Professor Bharat Jasani - Chair Welsh MASC