Your contract of employment

Find out how to ensure the employment contract you have been given is acceptable. BMA service

Resident doctor contract in England

Read the terms and conditions of both the 2002 and 2016 resident doctor contract for England. BMA guidance

Resident doctor contract in Northern Ireland

Download the terms and conditions of service for the resident doctor contract in Northern Ireland. BMA guidance

Resident doctor contract in Scotland

Read the terms and conditions and download the model contract for the resident doctor contract for Scotland. BMA guidance

BMA handbook for resident doctors in England

A guide to the new 2016 terms and conditions of service for doctors and dentists in training in England. BMA guidance

BMA handbook for resident doctors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales

Your guide to the main contractual issues which may crop up in your work as a resident doctor in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. BMA guidance

Guide to the training week for GP registrars and trainers while working in general practice

Guidance outlining how GP registrars work in a general practice setting.

Consultant contract in England

Read the terms and conditions of both the pre-2003 and 2003 consultant contract for England. BMA guidance

Consultant contract in Wales

All consultants in Wales transferred to the new contract with the amendment agreed with the Welsh Government in December 2003. All new consultants are appointed on these amended terms. BMA guidance

Consultant contract for Northern Ireland

There are two distinct employment contracts in Northern Ireland, the pre-2004 consultant contract and the 2004 consultant contract. BMA guidance

Consultant contract for Scotland

Since 1 April 2004, all new NHS consultant posts (including locums) are appointed to the 2004 consultant contract. Consultants in post before 1 April 2004 can move to the 2004 contract or stay as they are. BMA guidance

Consultant contract negotiations

Find out the negotiations the BMA has been involved in about the consultant contract and keep up to date with any changes or progression. BMA negotiations

Consultant part-time and flexible working

If you are working part-time there are a number of things to be aware of. Read our guidance to help you to know your rights. BMA guidance

Consultant resident on-call

Our guidance covers the implications of working resident on-call and things to consider before agreeing to it.

Consultant cover arrangements

Our guidance offers an overview of covering for colleagues, reference to your contract obligations, reaching an agreement, renumeration and time off in lieu and GMC requirements. BMA guidance

GP contract changes England 2025/26

Our guidance on the changes to the GP contract for 2025/26.

GP contract changes England 2024/25

Our guidance on the changes to the GP contract for 2024/25. BMA campaign

GP contract changes England 2023/24

Our guidance on the changes to the GP contract for 2023/24 and the impact on general practice.  BMA negotiations

GP contract changes England 2022/23

Read guidance to understand the changes to the GP contract for 2022/23 and the impact on general practice. BMA negotiations

GP contract England 2021/22

GPC England has negotiated minimal updates to the GP contract 2021/22 to give practice support and stability through the pandemic period.  BMA negotiations

GP contract Scotland 2018/19

This page contains GP contract 2018 documentation and guidance for GPs, including the code of practice, memorandum of understanding, your FAQs and funding. BMA negotiations

2021 update to 2018 Scottish GMS contract

The BMA’s Scottish GP Committee (SGPC) has negotiated further expression of elements to the 2018 Scottish GMS contract. BMA negotiations

Welsh GP contract 2024/25

Read about the outcome of resumed negotiations following the Welsh GP profession’s overwhelming rejection of the previous Welsh Government contract proposal for 2024/25. BMA guidance

Welsh GP contract 2023/24

The Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GPC Wales were engaged in tripartite negotiations for the GMS Contract 2023-24 from September 2023. Read about the results of these negotiations.

Welsh Unified GMS contract 2023/24

Read this guidance to understand the GP contract for 2023/24.

Welsh GP Contract 2022-23

Read this guidance to understand the GP contract for 2022/23.   BMA guidance

GP contract Wales 2021/22

Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GPC Wales have agreed the Welsh GP contract for 2021/2022. BMA guidance

GP contract Wales 2020/21

GPC Wales has concluded negotiations on the 2020/21 GP contract - read the details here including financial and non-financial changes, QAIF, improving access to services and workforce initiatives. BMA guidance

Previous GP contracts in England

See changes made in previous GP contracts. BMA guidance

BMA salaried GP handbook

Download the full handbook or read our FAQs, written for salaried GPs and those who employ salaried GPs. BMA guidance

Sessional and locum GP contract guidance

A roundup of resources for salaried GPs, locum GPs and their employers, including handbooks, model contracts, advice for negotiations and employment rights. BMA guidance

Salaried GP model contract toolkit

Although there may be some differences in process in each of the four countries of the UK, the principles of this guidance apply to all. BMA guidance

BMA locum practice agreement

This guidance provides background and information about the locum practice agreement, including model terms and conditions. BMA guidance

Locum chambers toolkit

Joining other locum GPs to form a ‘chambers’, a model used by various professionals including barristers and consultants, is an alternative way of organising locum work. BMA guidance

Guidance for locums and employers

Whether you are a locum GP, consultant, or an employer of locum services such as a GP practice, we have guidance and fees to help with your negotiations. BMA guidance

Framework for zero hours GP contracts

This guidance seeks to set out some guidelines to GPs and employers on the key contractual and engagement considerations of a zero hours contract. BMA guidance

SAS contracts

This guidance covers the terms and conditions of the SAS doctors 2008 contracts, for all nations, and of the 2021 specialty doctor and specialist contracts. It also offers the terms and conditions of contracts pre-2008, as well as examples of model contracts. BMA guidance

The 2021 specialist grade explained

The 2021 specialist contract presents new career opportunities for SAS grade doctors. Read our guidance on the roles and responsibilities it involves and how you can make a case for meeting the essential requirements of the grade.

Locum working for SAS doctors

This guidance provides SAS doctors with everything they need to know about locum roles and contracts, as well as what happens if you choose to return to a substantive post. BMA guidance

SAS doctors acting up

This guidance addresses the situation where a SAS grade doctor is asked to cover for a senior colleague for a limited period only and is acting up into a senior role.

Autonomy for SAS grade

This guidance clarifies the arrangements on autonomous working for employers and can be used as a tool for SAS doctors, when seeking recognition of their ability to work independently. BMA guidance

New Scottish SAS contracts

Learn more about the 2022 SAS contracts in Scotland. BMA negotiations

Moving from the 2008 to the 2021 England SAS contracts

SAS doctors in England might have questions about the benefits, downsides, and process of moving from the 2008 to the 2021 contract. Read about what this involves. BMA guidance

Medical academic contract

This guidance covers the terms and conditions of contract for medical academics who are employed by universities and other higher education institutions in all nations. It also highlights the implications of and questions arising from moving from NHS to university employment.  BMA guidance

BMA position on University and College Union strikes

The BMA has issued guidance to doctors who may be affected by the dispute. The Medical Academic Staff Committee has written to UCU with its views on the proposed action and issued a statement. BMA guidance

Forensic physician contracts

This page provides a model contract and guidance to inform self-employed Forensic Physicians.

Contract guidance for medical managers

Our guidance attempts to ensure that all medical managers receive appropriate terms and conditions regardless of their employer. BMA guidance

Contracts for overseas trained doctors

Although we are not able to offer legal advice on any overseas contracts, we have provided a check list of what should be covered in your contract. BMA guidance

Contracts for public health consultants

This guidance sets out important information for public health consultants, whether employed by Local Authorities, Public Health England or other bodies, including contractual arrangements and access to Clinical Excellence Awards. BMA guidance

Contract guidance for occupational physicians

This guidance provides information on all contractual and pay aspects of being an occupational health doctor. Below is a summary of the BMA’s guidance for the remuneration of occupational physicians. BMA guidance

Declaring a criminal conviction

Find out what constitutes a criminal conviction, what you must do if you have committed a criminal offence, and why you must disclose this information as a doctor. BMA guidance

​Criminal record checks (DBS check)

Before you are employed as a doctor, begin a new role, or start your foundation training, your employer will check that you received certification from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), or its equivalent in the devolved nations. BMA guidance