The British Medical Association (BMA) is a trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors and medical students in the UK.
A leading voice advocating for outstanding healthcare and a healthy population.
An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.
Our mission, vision and values
Our mission
We look after doctors so they can look after you.
Our vision
A profession of valued doctors delivering the highest quality health services, where all doctors…
- have strong representation and expert guidance, whenever they need it
- have their individual needs responded to, through career-long support and professional development
- are championed by the BMA and their voices are sought, heard and acted upon
- can connect with each other as a professional community
- can influence the advancement of health and the profession.
Our values
- Expert - we are an indispensable source of credible information, guidance and support throughout doctors’ professional lives.
- Committed - we are committed to all doctors and place them at the heart of every decision we make.
- Reliable - we are doctors’ first port of call because we are trusted and dependable.
- Challenging - we are unafraid to challenge effectively on behalf of all doctors.
- Leading - we are an influential leader in supporting the profession and improving the health of the UK.
Our duties as a trade union
As a trade union for doctors in the UK, the BMA is formally recognised for collective bargaining purposes at national and local levels.
Read more about how we represent doctors, and negotiate on their behalf.
Our code of conduct
The BMA welcomes open debate and free exchange of ideas.
We are committed to creating a culture that is inclusive of all members. We want every member to feel able to contribute, knowing that their points of view will be valued and differences of opinion will be respected.
Our code of conduct provides guidance on expected behaviour and sets out the standards of conduct that support our values in the work we do.
As part our commitment to challenge poor behaviour, the Code of Conduct support line is a free, independent and external service that provides support and guidance to BMA members and staff. This is the first point of contact to help them deal with their concerns and the impact of behaviours exhibited by BMA members, and to discuss possible resolutions. The support line is staffed by accredited counsellors from 9am to 8pm on Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 6pm on Saturday
- Phone: 0800 028 2092
Our feedback and complaints policy
The BMA is committed to ensuring that every member and all those in contact with the BMA receive responsive and high-quality service, and are satisfied with their interactions with us. We are always looking for ways to improve what we do.
Our principles
- We value and encourage feedback of all kinds.
- We always endeavour to listen, reflect and learn.
- All feedback is taken seriously and will be acknowledged and responded to appropriately and promptly.
- Complaints are investigated promptly, thoroughly and transparently.
- Any member who gives feedback or makes a complaint should come away knowing they were listened to and feeling we handled their issue well.
- Complaints handling complies with confidentiality and data protection policies.
We will use all the feedback and complaints we receive as opportunities to learn, to provide a better service to members and to correct mistakes. All feedback and complaints are centrally recorded and monitored so that we can identify patterns in what is being reported and identify areas for improvement.