During the BMA’s ARM (annual representative meeting) 2017 in Bournemouth, I proposed a motion asking for resident doctors in their final year of training to be included in any balloting of the consultant contract negotiations. It was seen as controversial, and there was much debate – but it passed.
I first attended ARM in 2010 and over the years I’ve made many speeches, but this one stuck out. I recall it well because of the feedback I received on a particular phrase I used: I spoke of our greatest asset being the collective voice of our membership. I meant it then and I mean it now.
It isn’t simply the size of the membership and the volume that affords, but the individuals that make up our collective – your lived experiences, your stories, your expertise and your action. I am a firm believer that no one should ever be left behind. That in any action you should aim to be accessible to those who are most likely to be missed, and by doing so, you are ensuring that everyone is included.
When I stood for deputy chair of RB (the representative body) in Belfast at ARM 2019, I promised I would change ARM. That I would take on challenges and listen to feedback. While I had some reflections on what needed to change, I couldn’t have anticipated that a global pandemic and my own lived experiences would have posed as some of the greatest challenges. They very much expedited the change we have seen in ARM since I stepped up in 2021.
Delegates at ARM 2024
The biggest challenges have been presented to me by individuals, like yourself, completing feedback forms, emailing and messaging me, stopping me at the side of the stage to tell me how I can make it easier for them – after all, I did ask.
And perhaps my greatest achievement during my four years has been to demonstrate that ARM isn’t for the few who are abled enough to travel to distant venues, or fortunate enough to be granted leave and cover and do not have responsibilities caring for children or loved ones. ARM is for everyone. It is open. It is accessible. It is inclusive.
And it needs you. We need you.
It was recently pointed out to me that some of what makes ARM more inclusive, including the reasonable adjustments we’ve introduced, aren’t widely known. So, here’s a list:
- ARM is hybrid. Members of the representative body are allocated their preference of virtual or physical seats. Ideally, your seat should be entirely physical or virtual. We recognise that in exceptional circumstances this may not be possible and in case of illness or an unexpected circumstance, exception may be needed. Should you require a change from a physical to a virtual seat at short notice, or a mix, please get in touch and we should be able to accommodate you. This has been especially useful during the pandemic.
- On registration, members of RB will have been asked for their protected characteristics. These are entirely confidential and used only by me, your deputy chair and ARM staff to enable me to positively act on the information you provide.
- I will actively call women first where possible as we know that this encourages more women to speak. Despite more than 50% of the UK medical register being women, we remain underrepresented in the BMA.
- I will also give speakers additional time, as needed, if you disclose a disability which may impact on your speech. This will not be announced and only myself as chair and the speaker will be aware.
- If the motion applies to a particular protected characteristic, I will prioritise a speaker with that characteristic. No decision about you, without you.
- For those with a physical disability we have a ramp with a handrail, as well as steps with a handrail. You can also specify in your speaker slip if you require support to make your way to the podium.
- Should anyone require a seat while speaking, do let your agenda committee know and we will arrange this.
- Should you require a taxi to travel from your hotel to the venue due to a disability, let us know and we can help arrange this.
The registration hall at ARM 2024
- If you require seating in a specific area, eg the end of the row for ease of access, let us know.
- If you are not able to propose your motion for whatever reason, you can nominate someone else to give your speech on your behalf.
- We have opt-in traffic light initiation cards available at the registration desk for those who would like to indicate how they would like to socialise.
- Quiet spaces are available around the venue.
- Wellbeing services are available, face-to-face and by phone.
- Live captions are available throughout ARM.
- We have additional support for those with a hearing impairment.
- Should you require any specific catering, let us know and we will try our best to accommodate.
- We have in the past few years had breastfeeding facilities for RB, for a member of the agenda committee and for myself. If you require this, let us know.
- We have creche facilities available by booking in advance of ARM.
- We also have a family friendly fund for those in other caring roles.
If you have an accessibility requirement and it isn’t on the list, please do get in touch with me and your ARM team; we will try our best to accommodate you because your voice is important.
I see all too often conferences and events in medicine excluding those whose voices they need to hear the most. It is lazy and unacceptable. I hope by demonstrating that it can be done, we can be used as an example. Equally, I hope that our ARM will always remain open to feedback and improvement so that we may continue to benefit from that diverse collective voice. It has been a learning journey, and I continue to learn from you.
This year’s ARM aims to empower us so that we may protect our patients. The events over the last five years, and the last five ARMs which I have had the privilege of chairing, have powerfully demonstrated the significance of doctors’ voices when raising concerns, advocating, taking action and protecting patients.
From fighting for fair pay to challenging the GMC, from calling for a COVID inquiry to seeking justice for colleagues, and from protecting our patients to enshrining medical neutrality – it starts at ARM. Your motions, your debates, your decisions, your voice.
Whether you’re a member of RB, an active member, a member who has never been involved in BMA structures or someone who is considering the value of BMA membership, please do follow your ARM and get involved – #BMAARM25 – so that we may empower you.
I hope to see you in Liverpool.
And as always, my door is open.
Dr Latifa Patel (she/her), your RB chair 2021-2025
[email protected]