The BMA has extended its deepest thanks and well wishes to David Strain, who has stepped down from his role as the association’s board of science chair.

BMA council chair Tom Dolphin has thanked Professor Strain for his ‘extraordinary contributions’ to the BMA ‘over many years’, following the confirmation Prof Strain will be taking up a role as the chief medical adviser at the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions).

Prof Strain, who remains a member of the association’s medical academic staff committee, served as board of science chair for more than four years, leading on vital work in health relating to alcohol, gambling economic inequality and suicide prevention.

Under his leadership, the board’s campaigning on tobacco and vaping control is credited with helping to deliver the Tobacco and Vapes Act, with Prof Strain having latterly also taken a prominent role on the implications of AI in healthcare.

In a recent message to BMA members, Prof Strain said he felt it appropriate to stand down as committee chair in light of his new role at the DWP.

Lasting legacy

Expressing his immense satisfaction at being part of so much important work by the association, and for having had the chance to work with so many valued colleagues and partners, Professor Strain said he hoped the legacy of this work would leave the association in a stronger position.

He said: ‘It has been an enormous privilege to chair such an extraordinary group of people. We have tackled some difficult, contentious and occasionally uncomfortable subjects but we have consistently done so by returning to the evidence and asking what will ultimately improve the health of the population.

‘I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together, from shaping the Tobacco and Vapes Bill from inception to legislation to our work in homelessness, presenteeism, and long COVID.   We have strengthened the visibility of the board within the association and as a result have continued to increase the influence of the association in wider society.’

Prior to joining the board of science, Prof Strain served as the chair of MASC for six years, most recently co-chairing the committee with Jonathan Gibb.

During his tenure at MASC, he was instrumental in directing work on pay restoration for consultant clinical academics and in engaging with National Institute for Care and Health Research on management of academic training.

Prof Strain was also committed to evidence-based policy making. He said: ‘Although my seat is changing, the things I care about are not. I remain committed to evidence-based policy, tackling health inequalities and ensuring that decisions affecting people’s health are informed by good science.’

In addition to his roles at the BMA, Professor Strain serves an associate professor of cardiometabolic health at the University of Exeter Medical School and as a medical advisor to the charity Action for ME.

Prior to his appointment at the DWP, Prof Strain had served for two years as a thematic research lead for Health at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Thanking Prof Strain for his years of service, Dr Dolphin said his ‘good humour, commitment, and generosity’ would be missed by everyone at the association.

He said: ‘David’s service has supported both the professional and trade union sides of the BMA, with elected roles on Southwest regional council, the MASC UK council and the board of science.

‘During the pandemic David chaired MASC through one of the most difficult periods in the BMA’s recent history, contributed to the BMA’s COVID-19 response, and led the development of the BMA risk-assessment tool, the first such tool used in the NHS to help protect doctors and other healthcare professionals working during the pandemic.’

With Professor Strain’s departure confirmed, the BMA has confirmed board of science deputy chair Melody Redman will lead the board in an interim capacity until a new chair is appointed.