COVID-19

Guidance for doctors on the impact of coronavirus on your work, training, education, and wellbeing as a medical professional. 
Mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health inequalities
Mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health inequalities

 

Our recommendations to reducing the pressures that Covid-19 has put on existing health inequalities. 

Read the report

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.

Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccination programme

This guidance provides detail about what the CVP (COVID-19 vaccination programme) service in England involves, what is expected of practices and what funding is available to help you to prioritise the programme.

COVID-19: prioritising vaccination of healthcare workers

Our position on vaccine priority, second dose, delaying second dose, and the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine.

COVID-19: vaccines information and resources

We provide you with the need to know information on the COVID vaccines, what vaccines are in use, the roles of the organisations, prioritisation and links to resources for medical professionals.

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.

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.

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: 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: your wellbeing

This guidance aims to help doctors and medical students working under extraordinary and challenging circumstances to look after their own health and wellbeing.

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.

COVID-19: observing Ramadan during the pandemic

We recognise that COVID-19 will impact how Ramadan (12 April - 12 May) can be observed this year. We want to ensure that all Muslim doctors observing religious customs during Ramadan are properly supported and safe at work.

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: returning to clinical placements

We set out our approach to resuming clinical placements and provide guidelines on what you might want to consider if you are a student returning to a clinical placement following the pandemic. 

COVID-19: travelling overseas and quarantine

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

COVID-19: a changing approach to appraisals

This guidance outlines the adjustments made to medical appraisals during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on your health and wellbeing.

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.

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 requested to work in the NHS

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

COVID-19: early provisional registration for final year students

What early registration means for eligible final year students requested to start work in the NHS early due to COVID-19.

COVID-19: medical students requested to work in Northern Ireland

Guidance for medical students in Northern Ireland offered contracts of employment in the NHS due to COVID-19, what it means for you and what you need to look out for in your contract.

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.