A better future is becoming possible
Locally employed doctors often work under different terms, pay and protections from colleagues doing the same job in the next ward.
That's beginning to change.
Recent BMA negotiations have created new opportunities for eligible LEDs, including permanent contracts, routes onto nationally recognised contracts and improved pay.
This didn't happen by accident. It happened because doctors stood together.
See the full detail on your contract options, eligibility and pay.
As your trade union we
- Secured permanent contracts and routes onto nationally recognised terms for eligible LEDs.
- Help you secure the pay you're entitled to, including national pay uplifts.
- Check contracts before you sign, so you know exactly where you stand.
- Stand beside you when problems arise at work, so you're never facing them alone.
- Support IMG doctors navigating life and work in the UK.
- Help you build your career through mentoring, guidance and CPD.
Join a movement that's changing what's possible
The next improvements in pay, job security and career progression won't happen automatically. They'll happen because locally employed doctors continue to stand together — and when you join, you're one of thousands making it happen.
Hear from doctors in locally employed roles
Olugbenga: an international medical graduate from Nigeria
Find out how a BMA membership has helped Olugbenga since he started his junior clinical fellowship.
Marvee: an international medical graduate from Pakistan
Find out how Marvee's BMA membership was invaluable to her when she moved from Pakistan to work in Colchester Hospital as a trust grade doctor.
If you came to the UK from overseas — this section is for you
Three in four doctors in locally employed roles trained outside the UK. We offer:
- immigration advice — free initial guidance via our dedicated service
- GMC investigation support — IMG doctors face a statistically higher referral rate; we provide confidential help if that happens
- employment rights guidance specific to overseas-trained doctors on locally negotiated contracts
- free membership for your entire first year in the UK.
Plus a free New to the UK e-resource — toolkits on visas, the NHS, your CV and your rights.
Everything you need — in one membership
When things go wrong at work, you won’t be facing it alone.
- Contract and rota checking — before you sign anything, we review it and tell you what to push back on.
- Expert employment advisers for career, legal, pay and pensions queries.
- Template letter and adviser support to claim your 2026 DDRB uplift if your trust hasn’t paid it.
- Specialist pensions team.
Changing the system — not just helping you survive it.
- Ensured locally employed doctors were included in DDRB pay awards, delivering the 2026 3.5% uplift, with resident doctor LEDs also benefiting from additional pay increases under the resident doctor pay deal.
- Campaigned to move doctors from temporary to permanent contracts.
- You'll have BMA reps inside trusts raising your issues with management directly.
- The more LED doctors who are members at your trust, the stronger our collective negotiating position.
The tools to keep moving forward — wherever your career takes you next.
- Over 1,000 CPD-accredited modules through BMJ Learning.
- 70+ peer-reviewed BMJ journals, worth £676 a year.
- Mentoring and career guidance for locally employed doctors.
- BMA conferences and professional events.
Locally employed roles can feel isolating. You don’t have to carry it alone.
- Confidential 24/7 counselling line — any time, any reason.
- Peer support service connecting you with other doctors who understand.
- Up to six free structured therapy sessions for members and their families.
- UK wellbeing directory — support services searchable by location.
Pricing
A single employment issue resolved — one pay discrepancy corrected — typically covers years of membership. For doctors without a national contract, that protection isn’t optional.
First year in the UK
Offer includes all of the above benefits
£0/month: Free
From 2nd year of membership
Offer includes all of the above benefits from
£21.33 per month
Discount membership
Some concessions for certain groups (see FAQs)
£16.08 per month
Your membership isn’t tied to a single contract.
If your post ends, your BMA membership and the support that comes with it don't. You remain a member — entitled to advice and representation — throughout any gap between contracts.
1. Complete our easy online application form in 5 minutes
2. You're a member! Start enjoying your benefits straight away.
3. We'll send you a welcome pack in the post.
Probably. "Locally employed doctor" (LED) describes how you're employed, not your job title.
You're likely an LED if your contract is set locally by your trust rather than under a national NHS contract. This can include trust grade doctors, clinical fellows, FY3 doctors, and many resident locum doctors.
Not sure? Get in touch and we'll help you work it out.
Support starts from the day you join.
As a member, you can access employment advice, contract checking, representation, career support and a range of member benefits.
If you already have an ongoing issue, we can still provide advice, although some services have eligibility requirements. The sooner you join, the sooner we're able to support you.
Yes.
If you're offered a trust grade, clinical fellow, FY3 or other locally employed contract, our advisers can review it and help you understand what it means in practice.
We'll highlight potential concerns and explain where you may want to seek clarification or challenge terms.
Possibly — eligibility depends on things like how long you've been at your current trust and the level of work you're doing.
The full criteria are set out in our LED pay and contracts guide Local to national contract transfer: SAS Eligibility and Permanency Framework.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, get in touch and we'll help you understand where you stand and support you through the process.
Your membership doesn't end if your contract does.
Whether you're between jobs, moving trusts or taking time out of medicine, you'll continue to have access to membership benefits and support. Reduced subscription rates may be available depending on your circumstances.
Absolutely.
Many locally employed doctors trained outside the UK, and supporting international medical graduates is a key part of our work. We provide advice on immigration, GMC processes and UK employment rights, and we've campaigned on issues affecting IMG doctors across the NHS.
When you join, you're joining a community of doctors facing many of the same challenges and opportunities as you.
Yes.
National pay awards aren't always implemented consistently, particularly where local pay arrangements exist. If you think you've been paid incorrectly, our advisers can help you understand your position and the options available to you.
See our LED pay and contracts guide for the full detail on this year's uplift and how to check what you're owed.
Membership rates vary depending on your circumstances. Reduced rates are available in a range of situations, including:
- First year living in the UK (IMG, free membership)
- Maternity, paternity or adoption leave
- Career breaks
- Lower income
- Working overseas
- Spouse or partner of a BMA member
You can view the latest membership rates and discounts on our membership pages. If you're unsure what applies to you, get in touch and we'll help.
Many members join before they need support.
Having expert advice, contract checking, career guidance and workplace representation available when you need it can provide reassurance throughout your career. Membership also helps strengthen the collective voice that drives improvements for locally employed doctors across the NHS.
Because the improvements happening now didn't happen automatically.
The EPF, pay improvements and growing recognition of locally employed doctors have all been achieved through doctors organising collectively. The more locally employed doctors who join, the stronger our ability to secure fairer contracts, better pay, greater job security and stronger protections in the future.
You came here to be a good doctor. You shouldn’t have to spend energy fighting to be treated like one. When you join the BMA, you’re not just protecting yourself — you’re part of something that fights for all of us.