The BMA’s resident doctors committee (RDC) for the UK today announced its new co-chairs, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt.
 
Dr Ryan and Dr Nieuwoudt are resident doctors in Nottingham and Liverpool respectively.
 
They take up post from 28th September 2024, taking over from Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, who have been in post since 2022.
 
The new co chairs said:

“We are honoured to be elected as chairs of the resident doctors committee at such a crucial moment for the profession. Even though we have now secured a pay deal that starts us on the journey to pay restoration, it is now up to the incoming resident doctors committee working with Government to keep us on track.

“That is going to be a big enough task on its own, and we will need the support of resident doctors across the country as we continue to mobilise and hold this Government to account. Together we can ensure that next year’s pay review process continues to deliver progress and bring us ever closer to full pay restoration.

“But aside from pay there are many other issues that resident doctors across England need sorting. As part of the pay deal we agreed to reform the way resident doctors move from one post to another so that they no longer need to needlessly disrupt their lives and the functioning of their team.

“We also need to reform the system for reporting our work above our contracted hours. For too long this system has run on goodwill, and we will work on the principles already agreed with DHSC to ensure we are compensated for our extra work in a timely way. 

“We are looking forward to engaging with the Government immediately to get these reforms done in the interests of the thousands of resident doctors we now represent. 

“We’re proud to be the first pair to take up this post under the title of “resident doctor committee”. We hope that the new name also marks the beginning of an era where we stop allowing our value to the health service and the country be diminished and demeaned.

“We’d like to thank Rob and Vivek who have done such a great job in getting us this far. Resident doctors have fought for our worth and we are ready to keep fighting for it. We’re honoured to go on leading that fight.”

 

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.