BMA membership has exceeded 200,000 for the first time as council chair Tom Dolphin hailed members for giving the association ‘its voice and strength’.
Doctors leaders are celebrating following recent confirmation that the number of registered BMA members now stands at 200,075, the highest membership level in the BMA’s 193-year history.
In a message on 26 September, Dr Dolphin (pictured above) and association chief executive officer Rachel Podolak expressed their congratulations and thanks to all BMA staff for their ‘unwavering dedication and hard work’, adding that ‘every department and every individual has played a critical part in reaching this incredible milestone’.
Alongside the efforts of staff, Dr Dolphin credited the record membership figure to the strategic approach taken by association, which he said had ‘reinvigorated our union and professional activities’.
PODOLAK: 'Incredible milestone'
Dr Dolphin and Ms Podolak expressed their thanks to all elected members of BMA UK council for their efforts and dedication in helping to reshape the association's strategic vision and mission.
Dr Dolphin added that, while he welcomed the historic growth in membership, the rise meant the BMA had an even greater responsibility going forward to deliver positive change for the medical profession.
He said: ‘Since we started shifting the BMA’s strategic approach towards building power in the workplace and directly empowering doctors and medical students, we’ve seen our membership numbers trending upwards as people see the value of collective voice and collective action, not just on pay but on professional issues that affect our patients.
‘Together we are all the BMA, and alongside our brilliant staff, the members are what give the BMA its voice and strength.’