Together we achieve more
SAS doctors are stronger when we stand together.
Through the BMA, SAS doctors are improving pay, strengthening workplace protections, securing better career progression opportunities and raising the profile of the vital role SAS doctors play across the NHS.
As the trade union and professional body for doctors, we're representing SAS doctors where decisions are made and negotiating for positive change across the profession.
Together we're stronger. Together we're heard. Together we're shaping what comes next for SAS doctors.
Helpful for recording evidence of my job plan. Very useful, I used Dr Diary for my job review and it helped me make changes.Dr Konstantinos Zafeiris, SAS doctor, Trauma and Orthopedic surgery
Supporting and advancing SAS careers
Together, SAS doctors are improving working lives, shaping career opportunities and strengthening the voice of the profession.
As a member, you'll have access to expert guidance, practical resources and support from people who understand the realities of working as a specialist, associate specialist or specialty doctor.
All the resources you could ever need to advance and enhance your career.
Joining the BMA gives you access to:
- A subscription to world-leading medical journal, The BMJ - helping you to stay up-to-date with the medical world, worth £1,389 a year.
- Hundreds of CPD-accredited clinical and non-clinical modules with BMJ learning. Popular topics include Time management, ECG skills: diagnostic testing, Hospital presentations: chest pain.
- Live and recorded webinars to help you navigate and develop in your professional life.
- BMA Library; with thousands of e-journals including the Lancet and Jama.
- Access ClinicalKey, a powerful medical search engine and point of care tool.
Access to specialist support.
Whether you're reviewing a contract, planning your next career step, seeking job planning advice or dealing with a workplace challenge, you'll have access to specialist support.
- Immigration advice
- Help when returning from maternity leave
- Expert employment advisers, available for career, legal, pensions and financial expertise
- Use Dr Diary to personalise activities to fit the nature of your work, including DCC, SPA and more.
- Contract guidance
- A specialist pensions team
- The SAS Charter, setting out what SAS doctors can expect from their employers and what employers can expect from them.
There is always someone to talk to.
Our wellbeing services include a range of free and confidential services and information to help support doctors and medical students:
- Confidential 24/7 counselling line, and peer support service for all doctors and medical students.
- BMA members, plus their partners and dependents (aged 16-24 in full-time education and living at the same address), can also access a free structured course of up to six sessions of therapy with a counsellor.
- A UK wellbeing support directory detailing various support services by geographical availability on our sources of support page.
The services are confidential and free of charge.
The BMA is the recognised voice of SAS doctors.
We negotiate and campaign on the issues that matter most to you, including pay, contracts, career progression, workplace conditions and professional recognition.
When decisions affect SAS doctors, we work to ensure your interests are represented and your voice is heard.
- Negotiating on your behalf over pay and working conditions.
- Lobbying the government for better contract terms.
- In 2021 we negotiated a new SAS doctor contract, including a pay deal that helps create a better SAS pay scale into the future, a new senior SAS grade and new safeguards to help improve work-life balance.
Cost of membership
As a BMA member, you may be eligible to claim tax back from your subscription. Find out more about subscriptions costs.
Standard membership
Standard membership offer includes all of the above benefits
£49.25 per month
Discount membership
Some concessions are available for certain groups (see FAQs below)
From £17.08 per month
Special membership offer
New to the UK?
1st year in UK - free*
Included in your membership
- Campaigning on issues including fair pay, pensions, recognition, resourcing, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- 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
- BMA Law services at member-exclusive rates for you and your family.
- Over 70 BMJ journals (print and online), worth £1,389 a year.
- BMJ Learning, providing hundreds of clinical and non-clinical CPD accredited e-learning modules.
When I was bullied at work, it was the BMA who helped me. They really did what the BMA says they do 'Stand up for doctors'. It motivated me so much that now I work with the BMA to help other IMGs. Please become a member… we support you.Dr Amit Kochhar, SAS doctor and IMG
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.
We're here to help you from the moment you join us. If you have a need that predates your BMA membership, assistance may be limited to telephone and email service only. Contact the BMA to discuss any issue you have and we'll let you know where you stand.
Joining for one month only is not recommended as you won't be guaranteed continued support and workplace protection. However, you can leave after one calendar month, if you choose. BMA membership is a reoccurring yearly membership. The subscription year runs from 1 October to 30 September.
We offer a discount for spouses/partners of BMA members. If you're on maternity leave, on lower income or having a career break, going overseas, a doctor new to the UK or permanently retired, we can offer a reduced subscription rate depending on your circumstances. After 50 years of membership, we give it to you for free.
As a BMA member, you may be eligible to claim tax back from your subscription.
We only offer direct debit as a payment option when joining online, with the ability to pay monthly or annually. You can discuss other payment options with our Membership Services team at [email protected].
See our full membership FAQs page for more information about joining or get in touch.
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.
