We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
If you continue without changing your settings, we’ll assume you’re happy to receive all cookies from the BMA website. Find out more about cookies
When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.
Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.
You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
These cookies are required
These cookies allow us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information we collect is anonymous unless you actively provide personal information to us.
If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies allow a website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you're in) and tailor the website to provide enhanced features and content for you.
For example, they can be used to remember certain log-in details, changes you've made to text size, font and other parts of pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you've asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. These cookies may be used to ensure that all our services and communications are relevant to you. The information these cookies collect cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
Without these cookies, a website cannot remember choices you've previously made or personalise your browsing experience meaning you would have to reset these for every visit. In addition, some functionality may not be available if this category is switched off.
Our websites sometimes integrate with other companies’ sites. For example, we integrate with social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, to make it easier for you to share what you have read. These sites place their own cookies on your browser as a result of us including their icons and ‘like’ or ‘share’ buttons on our sites.
We are the trade union and professional association for doctors and medical students across the UK. We support doctors throughout their training and careers.
0300 123 1233 8:30 - 6pm, Mon - Fri
[email protected]
Talk to an adviser 8:30 - 6pm, Mon - Fri
Trust our in-depth knowledge to help you with your employment related issues. Visit our Employment advice and support section.
Contract information and supporting guidance on General Medical Services (GMS) and Personal Medical Services (PMS) contracts and Enhanced services.
BMA Northern Ireland is encouraging junior doctors to understand their workplace rights and entitlements. Read our handy six-point guide to knowing your rights.
The GDPR will apply from 25 May this year. It introduces wide-ranging and significant changes to UK data protection legislation.
Read our helpful guidance featuring practical tips to help manage the increasing workloads in your practice.
Contract information and supporting guidance for medical academics employed by universities and other higher education institutions in the UK.
Download pay circulars for medical academic staff in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Concerned about your duties in relation to confidentiality under the Government’s anti-radicalisation strategy? Read our guidance.
Download our tailored tax guidance for junior doctors. Learn tax basics, and find out if you can claim tax relief on your training costs.
The retained doctor scheme is a new package of support resources aimed at GPs who may be considering leaving the profession, to remain in clinical practice by providing between 1 - 4 sessions per week.
This new guidance aims to provide GP practices, practice groups and commissioners with information and advice on employing a physiotherapist and the potential of their role within general practice.
The BMA Locum GP handbook is a guide for Locum GPs and for practices engaging the services of a locum GP. Essential reading and exclusive to BMA members, this handbook covers all aspects of work and business practice.
Access all of the benefits of a BMA membership
Whatever your career stage, we can help you along with the BMJ and the BMA Library. Visit our Career advice and support section.
From face-to-face masterclasses, to webinars and e-learning modules - we provide a variety of options to help with your professional development.
Take the steps from medical school into postgraduate training with confidence - know your career options and get all the support you need for your training years.
Good communication skills are an essential component of the doctor-patient relationship. Find out about courses, events and resources available to help you in this area.
Read about this initiative that seeks to give opportunities to anyone who has the ability and desire, whatever their background, to enter into a medical career.
To continue your training after medical school you must apply for the foundation programme. The application period is only open for two weeks a year - use our guide to get key dates and information plus tips for your application.
There are new changes to the study budget system in England. Read our guidance on what the changes mean and how they are likely to affect you.
Flexible working and less than full time training (LTFT) is becoming more commonplace - read our step by step guide and see if LTFT is right for you.
We know how challenging it is starting a new post, whatever stage of your training you're at. Get advice, support and information to guide you through your next transition.
We're here to help you get your CV in top shape, no matter what stage you are in your career.
Whether you're staying close by or thinking about further afield, this guidance will help you get started on the steps you need to take to work abroad.
We answer common questions about joining the armed forces reserves as part of your medical career.
Get help with balancing the stresses of work and demands on your life. Visit our Work-life support section.
Our confidential counselling service is available free of charge, 24/7. Talk to a counsellor or another doctor in confidence.
Problems can take hold of us at anytime, and can often feel difficult to manage on our own. We have a range of services to support and advise you through difficult times and coping with stress.
Lloyd & Whyte offer both personal and commercial insurance packages to support you throughout your personal and working life as a doctor.
Check out our range of learning opportunities to grow your career and build your confidence in the workplace, including advice for overseas doctors who are thinking about working in the UK.
As a busy doctor, keeping ahead of the latest tax developments and dealing with tax matters can be time-consuming and challenging. Our tax experts Ernst and Young can help.
Let us support you in your professional and personal life with our range of services dedicated to helping make your life easier.
Whether you're thinking of having a baby, already expecting or going back to work as a parent, read our advice on contracts, leave options and pay.
Reasonable adjustments are adaptations to assist students and doctors with disabilities. Find out more.
Find out how the NHS works in the UK with information about the NHS in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The BMA Refugee Doctor Initiative is a special package of free benefits available to refugee and asylum seeking doctors seeking to establish their careers in the UK. Find out more.
A new start in a new country can be a challenge. Whether you are working as a trainee or a doctor, we have guidance to support the transition to living and working in the UK.
'Caring, supportive, collaborative: a future vision for the NHS' is a project which aims to be an honest conversation with our profession about the sort of NHS doctors want to work in. Find out more.
GPC England has concluded negotiations with NHS Employers, and we have reached an agreement on changes to the GP contract for 2018/19. Read the overview.
With annual increases in demand for care, the NHS in England is under a growing amount of pressure and is struggling to meet targets. The BMA is undertaking regular analysis to provide an overview of how the health service is coping.
The BMA, working in equal partnership with NHS Employers and the Department of Health and Social Care, have begun the review of the 2016 junior doctor contract in England.
The latest news, guidance and current issues for general practice from the general practitioners committee (GPC).
BMA analysis reveals key NHS performance indicators are projected to deteriorate over the next three years.
Our work on this issue has most recently focused on price, availability, marketing, public education and better funding for how alcohol is managed. Read about what we are doing.
We report on doctors' occupational health and wellbeing and give our recommendations to employers
Find upcoming conference dates and information, plus see highlights from the March 2018 UK LMC conference.
The contract negotiations have been a challenging time for junior doctors, especially where fact and opinion have often been misrepresented. Read our mythbuster to find out the truth about the contract.
This month's highlights include updates on Brexit, alcohol policy and MEPs adopt report on antimicrobial resistance.
In July 2018, the Home Office announced plans to reschedule cannabis-based medicinal products in order to widen their availability within the NHS. Read our FAQs about the new regulations, which came into effect on 1 November 2018.
Number of calls our support service received
7913
Number of contracts our employment advisers checked
505
Number of cases our employment advisers resolved
4158
12 November 2018
Action to reduce the risk associated with being a GP partner in Scotland and to improve recruitment and retention has taken a significant step forward.
A lack of clarity over Brexit negotiations and the constant uncertainty surrounding a potential deal between the UK and the EU is harming NHS Wales’ ability to plan effectively, BMA Cymru Wales has warned.
An increase in the number of people waiting for outpatient appointments in Wales is not good enough, BMA Cymru Wales has said.
In May I was delighted to welcome colleagues from a wide range of different backgrounds to the BMA, for a symposium to discuss the urgent threat of antimicrobial resistance, and the actions required to safeguard the effectiveness of these drugs – on which much of modern medicine depends.
Two little boys – early primary-school age – have been playing an unsuitable game. Unfortunately, it was a really very unsuitable game and one of them has ended up with a minor injury to his foreskin.
Today we mark Equal Pay Day, the day that women stop earning in the year, relative to men. This is not just about a gap in pay, though national data estimates that on average female hospital doctors earn at least 18 per cent less per hour than men.
18 January 2019 York
planning for retirement
26 - 27 January 2019 Brighton
02 February 2019 BMA House, Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 9JP
Our BMA advisers can help if you have a question or need advice.
Call 0300 123 1233
Webchat or email
Lines open 8.30am to 6pm weekdays, excluding UK bank holidays.
Contact us
Want to stay up-to-date with the latest BMA news, research reports, and guidance for doctors and medical students?
Sign up for our newsletter
You'll receive regular email round-ups of all our most recent work - direct to your inbox.
Sign up now
"If we don’t take time to take care of ourselves, we will eventually stop functioning" - #selfcareweek words of wis… https://t.co/N62Hc4rvYt
12 Nov 2018 4:16 PM
RT @DrSarahHal: To clarify as there's been a few qs: @BMA_JuniorDocs #2018Review #JuniorsContract Survey is for ALL junior doctors on the 2…
12 Nov 2018 3:41 PM
How can we help?