BMA network of elected women

Our purpose

The BMA network of elected women (NEW) is a group of BMA elected women members who will champion and strengthen leadership and advance diversity for the benefit of our Association.

We recognise that the collaboration of different voices at all levels and from all backgrounds is key to unlocking our collective potential.

Our aim is to:

• focus on inspiring continuous personal and professional development of our elected women members
• support members to develop the skills and confidence needed to become effective medico-political leaders, committee representatives and ambassadors for the BMA’s work on gender equality
• hold networking events
• act as a hub where we listen to each other and engage with our membership, colleagues and partners in a common endeavour
• team with partner organisations that share our vision and connect with the wider community. 

Knowledge sharing

NEW have held a range of knowledge sharing sessions and events to create networking, and personal and professional development opportunities.

Our events:

• Developing public speaking and debating skills - the event aimed to provide attendees with tools that can further develop their public speaking skills and empower them to be more confident when taking part in debates.
• Inspiring the women GP leaders of tomorrow - chaired by Dr Samira Anane, GPC Education, training & workforce policy lead
• Fixing the gender pay gap in medicine - following on from the publication of the Mend the Gap: The Independent Review into the Gender Pay Gaps in Medicine England, and in collaboration with Medical Women’s Federation. Read BMA’s response to the review along with a full briefing on its findings.
• A guide to pensions - organised in collaboration with the BMA pensions committee, the session covered the pension scheme throughout the stages of a woman’s working life: from FY1 to pre-retirement planning and receipt of a pension, including periods of maternity leave and less than full time working. Read our guidance on working in the peri-retirement period.
• Menopause in the workplace - following the publication of the Challenging the culture on menopause for working doctors report by the BMA, this event explored the issues highlighted in the report, as well as helped attendees mobilise on how to make changes on this in their own workplaces.

Who can join the network of elected women?

Membership of NEW is open to women BMA members who hold elected roles on BMA committees, councils, divisions or fora.

Ex-officio membership is available on a case-by-case basis to women who are appointed to BMA bodies but do not meet the above eligibility. If you believe you are eligible and are interested in joining NEW, please contact us at [email protected]

Members on local negotiating committees and local medical committees, as well as BMA members who attend BMA conferences and do not meet any of the above criteria are not eligible to join NEW.

Contact us

Email us at [email protected] to find out more about the group or to express an interest in joining.