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.
Experience the benefits a BMA membership offers with specialist advice on issues such as contracts, pay and discrimination.
Get the support you need to progress in your career from an organisation that understands your unique needs and the daily challenges you face.
Gain access to resources, advice and support to help you get peace of mind and rest assured that help is at hand whenever you need it.
22 October 2018
The BMA has warned that the NHS cannot afford ‘a Brexit at any cost’, during a demonstration demanding a public vote on the final exit deal.
18 October 2018
Health boards in Wales overspent by more than £1m to operate directly managed GP practices, figures obtained by BMA Cymru Wales have revealed.
17 October 2018
A great place for a holiday... but a career too? Despite their beauty, the most rural areas of Scotland have struggled to attract enough doctors. Jennifer Trueland finds out how this might be changing
Our long-established members’ magazine, BMA News, has entered the next chapter in its 52-year history
By allowing ourselves to dehumanise patients we gradually lose our ability to see them as people at all, and the decisions we make for them will be subtly altered as a result.
When is a child not a child? When you want an opinion on a 16 year old in August, apparently.
RT @CNagpaul: Thanks @TheBMA London Regional Council giving me opportunity to speak about our Caring, Supportive, Collaborative project to…
23 Oct 2018 9:06 PM
Chair of our community care committee @IvanCamphor represented our members’ views on the need to improve working co… https://t.co/1EFeskQGCd
23 Oct 2018 3:33 PM
Trust our in-depth knowledge to help you with your employment related issues. Visit our Employment advice and support section.
BMA Northern Ireland is encouraging junior doctors to understand their workplace rights and entitlements. Read our handy six-point guide to knowing your rights.
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.
The GDPR will apply from 25 May this year. Take steps to ensure that your practice is compliant.
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.
The salaried GP handbook is a valuable resource for salaried GPs and GP employers, covering everything from legal entitlements to maternity leave, redundancy and employment protection.
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.
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.
The personal development needs of doctors are a vital part of sustaining good quality services. Ensuring that SAS doctors receive effective development will benefit patient safety and employers, as well as the individual doctor.
Get help with balancing the stresses of work and demands on your life. Visit our Work-life support section.
Problems can take hold of us at anytime. Our confidential BMA Counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Talk to someone 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.
The latest news, guidance and current issues for general practice from the general practitioners committee (GPC).
We report on doctors' occupational health and wellbeing and give our recommendations to employers
The BMA regularly represents the views of doctors on behalf of their patients in parliament. See what we are working on.
We campaign for measures to reduce the levels of obesity, including action targeted at improving children's diets, and increasing active travel and physical activity levels. See more on what we are doing.
Each year the BMA and BDA provide evidence to the DDRB to determine doctors and dentists pay. We believe it is now time for fundamental reform of the pay review process.
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.
Read the latest update and FAQs on consultant contract negotiations as of March 2018.
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.
See highlights and watch the webcast from the 2018 UK LMC conference.
Bullying and harassment are rife within the NHS according to latest research findings. Read more about the issues and our efforts to promote dignity at work.
This month's highlights include updates on Brexit, alcohol policy and MEPs adopt report on antimicrobial resistance.
Number of calls our support service received
7913
Number of contracts our employment advisers checked
505
Number of cases our employment advisers resolved
4158
27 November 2018 Edinburgh
27 November 2018 Cardiff
financial planning essentials
29 November 2018 London
GP, GP trainees, BMJ Masterclasses
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
How can we help?