Purpose of an LNC

The LNC is a separate and independent committee for accredited representatives only, and represent all relevant grades and workplaces.

The LNC should have their own constitution. The model constitution is on the LNC support hub.

The BMA determines the size of that committee, how often it meets, and who sits on the committee. The LNC should meet separately for a pre-meet before joint meetings and at other times.

The JLNC is the joint management and trade union committee – there will be a separate constitution outlining the remit of this forum, the number of seats, and meeting frequency. This constitution should be jointly agreed with management.    

The terms of reference for the JLNC may vary by trust but essentially the JLNC will normally be responsible for negotiating and implementing the terms and conditions of service relating to all Medical and Dental staff employed by the Trust. 

The role of the LNC is to ensure that any new policies or local agreements reflect all of the terms within the national medical contracts and do not undermine any existing rights. 

As the recognised trade union for doctors, the BMA trains and supports representatives on your local negotiating committee to negotiate and advocate on your behalf, we protect individual members and the collective interests of doctors in the workplace.

Find out more about the roles and responsibilities of LNC representatives.

Why contact your LNC?

Most member issues can be raised with a representative in the first instance, they should be able to support with information and signpost members with any more complex individual issues to use the employment advice form to get support direct from a BMA employment adviser.

For more collective issues (workplace practices and policies) they can raise these via the LNC with the support of the regional BMA officer and escalate issue to the JLNC for discussion, negotiation, and resolution.