Doctors at the BMA ARM (annual representative meeting) held a minute’s silence in memory of all health and social care workers who have lost their lives during the pandemic.

Before the silence, representatives heard Never to Forget, performed by the London Symphony Chorus, which sets the names of health and social care workers to music.

BMA council chair Chaand Nagpaul said it was ‘very moving’, adding: ‘Although we represent doctors, we have always stood shoulder to shoulder with all health and social care workers who have worked collectively during the last few months of this dreadful pandemic, and the one thing we really must do, and the Government must do, is make sure that those of us who are looking after patients, who are fighting this virus, are looked after and we don’t see the future loss of any lives.’

BMA representative body chair Helena McKeown thanked a number of organisations who joined the BMA in paying their respects during the memorial.

She also read a message from NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis: ‘Today’s memorial is an opportunity for the medical community to join together to reflect on the loss we feel for our colleagues and friends who have died in this pandemic. I would like to join you all in paying tribute to them, and all health and care workers who have lost their lives to the virus.’