COVID-19

Guidance for doctors on the impact of coronavirus on your work, training, education, and wellbeing as a medical professional. 
Latest COVID news
COVID virus illustration

What the BMA is doing

COVID-19: BMA actions and policy

Our policy, demands and recommendations to NHS organisations, institutions and the Government to help protect doctors, the NHS and the public during the pandemic.

COVID-19: BMA priorities

Our four main priorities for COVID across the UK are the vaccination programme, the impact on doctors from ethnic minorities, tackling the backlog in non-COVID care and a careful approach to easing lockdown restrictions.

COVID-19: analysing the impact of coronavirus on doctors

We have been surveying our members through the pandemic to understand what doctors are experiencing so we can play this back to the Government. We have also been analysing vaccine uptake in doctors.

BMA COVID-19 review

The BMA has launched a review into the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic - from the impact on the medical profession to the NHS and social care systems and public health.

Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccination programme

This guidance provides detail about the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in England. It includes information about the medical exemption process and emerging information in relation to the Omicron variant.

COVID-19 vaccination programme: extra workforce

Guidance on those who can become part of the extra workforce to deliver the programme: who can get involved, the national recruitment initiative, training requirements, terms and conditions and their indemnity.

COVID-19: how to communicate with different groups about the vaccine

Doctors play an important role in ensuring a positive health outcome by providing all patients with access to relevant, accessible information about the vaccine.

COVID-19: vaccines information for patients

This guidance addresses frequently asked questions from members of the public about the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, including vaccine safety and efficacy,  how to book the vaccine, and vaccine protection.

COVID-19: mandatory vaccine FAQs

Our response to the Government's announcement that all healthcare staff in England must be fully vaccinated by April 2022.

GP practices

COVID-19: toolkit for GPs and GP practices

Comprehensive guidance for GPs, partners and practice managers to manage employment and contractual issues and service provision during the coronavirus pandemic.

Support your surgery

Our campaign addresses the mounting pressure on general practice in England to clear the backlog and the restrictions on access as a result of the pandemic.

Your health

COVID-19: doctors isolating and those in vulnerable groups

Read our frequently asked questions for doctors who are isolating, have underlying health conditions or live with someone who is in a high risk group.

COVID-19: your wellbeing

This guidance aims to help doctors and medical students working under extraordinary and challenging circumstances to look after their health and wellbeing. The BMA is here to support you.  

COVID-19: risk assessment

All doctors should have a risk assessment, including those returning to the NHS and existing staff. We cover risk factors, tools to help you and what the process should be.

COVID-19: your life insurance

A joint statement from BMA and Association for British Insurers and guidance on reviewing your arrangements for life insurance and income protection during the pandemic.

COVID-19: the risk to BAME doctors

We look at the evidence for increased risk for black, Asian and minority ethnic doctors and provide advice about what workplace support to expect, suggest actions for employers, and explain what the BMA is doing.

COVID-19: life assurance scheme

We outline how the scheme works, who it's for, eligibility criteria, how to claim, and how it relates to existing death in service benefits.

PPE

COVID-19: PPE for doctors

Get clarification on PPE use in primary and secondary care, including procurement, use, safe working and CPR.

COVID-19: refusing to treat where PPE is inadequate

This guidance sets out the process for doctors to follow to identify whether your PPE is adequate and what you can do if it is not.

Adapting to COVID

COVID-19: death certification and cremation

This guidance replaces existing BMA guidance on verification and certification of death and cremation during the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19: video consultations and homeworking

Advice for doctors in all settings in getting homeworking equipment, when to consult patients via video, approved NHS tools for remote consultations and tips for running them.

COVID-19: COVID centres in Northern Ireland

About COVID centres and how they operate, PPE, working in the centres and when is appropriate to use the centres.

COVID-19: working in private practice

Read our overview of how the pandemic is affecting private practice and access some resources to help you tackle any issues.

COVID-19: travelling overseas and quarantine

Advice for doctors planning to travel to or from countries that are considered a COVID-19 risk. 

Your contract

COVID-19 terms and conditions: all doctors

Guidance on some of the concerns you might have as a doctor about the impact of COVID-19 on your contract terms and conditions, such as annual leave, maternity, working with a disability and childcare.

COVID-19 terms and conditions: SAS doctors and consultants

Guidance on your rota, sick pay, working patterns, pay, annual and study leave and working outside of your specialty.

COVID-19 terms and conditions: junior doctors

Guidance on your rota, sick pay, working patterns, pay, annual and study leave, working outside of your specialty and indemnity.

COVID-19 terms and conditions: sessional GPs

Guidance on changes to your working patterns and contractual issues during the pandemic, such as annual leave, indemnity and working outside of your job plan.

COVID-19 terms and conditions: clinical academics

Guidance on your contractual agreements when working in the NHS during the pandemic, continuous service and pay and implications for your academic training and funding.

Returning to the NHS or starting a new role

COVID-19: staff redeployment

Our guidance gives an overview of redeployment for employed doctors, including giving your consent, training, terms and conditions, raising concerns and your wellbeing.

COVID-19: retired doctors returning to work

This guidance is for retired and former NHS doctors choosing to return to support the pandemic response. It covers return to work routes, performers list regulations, pay, indemnity, pension, the work you can perform and technology.

COVID-19: medical students who are requested to work in the NHS

Guidance for medical students on medical schools and trusts or boards offering the opportunity to take on contracts of employment in the NHS due to COVID-19.

Ethics

COVID-19: ethical issues when demand for life-saving treatment is at capacity

Get guidance on COVID-19, ethics and decision-making, including withdrawing treatment, treatment allocation, resource, equality legislation and making reasonable adjustments.

Immigration

COVID-19: guidance for international doctors

We offer guidance for IMGs and international students about your visa, GMC registration, exam cancellations and how to help during the pandemic.