The forum provides a unique opportunity to get involved with the BMA and network with fellow grassroots members from all branches of practice, as well as senior BMA leaders. Over the course of the weekend, you will feel empowered to go forward and make meaningful change on both a local and national level.

What you will learn

We will start from the basics – you will learn about your rights at work, how to challenge employers and how to stick up for colleagues. You will hear from BMA reps who have been involved in running local campaigns and disputes and learn about how the BMA can support you to lead a local campaign or dispute in your workplace or medical school.

You will also hear from experienced trade unionists, learn how to combat union busting, and get to practice doing trade union negotiations. We will also be providing guidance and support for attendees who wish to become accredited BMA trade union representatives.

What to expect from this event

Themes explored over the weekend will include:

• how to tackle common challenges faced in work, advocate for your rights and secure personal wins
• how to win change at a local level – thinking about the importance of mobilising, negotiating and campaigning
• mechanisms to help support local change such as LNCs (local negotiating committees), LMCs (local medical committees) and divisions
• how change is made on a national level
• mechanisms for national change.

Programme

Programme will be available soon.

Key speakers

Speakers will be confirmed soon.

Who can attend

The conference is open to BMA members from all parts of the profession. As long as you are a junior member, meaning you are within 12 years of provisional registration, or 11 years of first full registration with the GMC, or you are a medical student, then this conference is open to you.

Attendees will be selected as far as possible on a geographical and branch of practice basis, giving preference to those who have not previously attended a junior members forum or other BMA conferences, and where possible on “first come, first served” basis.

Additionally, delegates should not have participated in BMA democratic structures for longer than two years, including through past or present committee and/or forum membership. Members with no prior BMA involvement will be prioritised even in cases where there is a shortage of applicants to geographical/branch of practice space seats.

Expenses and accommodation

Your reasonable travel expenses will be met by the BMA and accommodation will be provided for all attendees on Saturday 7 February. A formal conference dinner will be held on Saturday evening. No reimbursement will be provided for alternative dinner or accommodation arrangements made individually. 

If you are not able to travel to London in time for the start of the conference on Saturday 7 February and would like accommodation on Friday 6 February, please email [email protected] with your reasons for requiring accommodation on the Friday night i.e. journey times.  
 
Lunch will be provided for all attendees on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February. No reimbursement for alternative lunch arrangements will be made. If you have any dietary requirements, please indicate this on the registration form.

The forum will close at 3pm on Sunday to enable attendees to return home at a reasonable time, and accommodation will not therefore be provided on Sunday evening.

Child and dependent care facilities

Child and dependent care facilities will be available during the conference, but this must be booked in advance. Please indicate on the registration form if you would like further information regarding this. 

Questions

Once you have a confirmed place at the forum, you will receive a delegate information pack which contains all the information you will need to know ahead of attending.

If you have any questions regarding travel expenses, childcare facilities or queries regarding the conference format please contact BMA conferences at:

• [email protected]
• 0207 383 6111 or 6037