Supporting resident doctors’ wellbeing is a fundamental part of the BMA’s work. For many years we have sought to make the differences to improve lives at both a national and local level. Working with both grassroots doctors and members of the resident doctors' committee we have now identified the five priorities that would make a positive impact on the lives of resident doctors’. These priorities build on our previous work, including the wellbeing charter and the fatigue and facilities charter but also incorporates improving wellbeing from the workplace charter's current top priorities.
Our priorities are:
- On-call designated parking spaces
- Self-directed learning time to commensurate the training needs of each individual
- The right to work from home to undertake portfolio and self-directed learning
- Mess, rest facilities and lockers included in all hospitals including any new hospital builds
- Access to an out-of-hours menu 24/7 that includes a hot meal and cold snacks for staff
Our aim, with this campaign is to empower BMA members to act locally to achieve these 5 priorities through local negotiation. Our campaign guide contains everything you need:
- A template showing members how to set up a local wellbeing campaign.
- Detailed explanation and justification for the 5 priorities to enable members to argue for these locally.
- Tips and guidance on who can be involved / how to get people involved, and how to build support for your campaign.
- A guide to available support from the BMA - as well as all of the resources provided here, BMA officers will be able to support you in raising these issues with your employer via your Local Negotiating Committee (LNC )for approval.
The guidance and priorities themselves are hospital focused but, in particular for resident doctors in non-acute settings, you can adapt and adopt the enclosed guidance and priorities as applicable.