This year’s UK consultants conference is of critical importance as it will guide future actions and strategy for the year ahead. Your attendance, motion submissions and participation will be vital.

Format of the conference

This year’s conference is a hybrid event, and you can select whether to attend in person at BMA house or online. The format of the conference will include a series of motion debates and a two-hour session focussing on what comes next following the referendum on the new pay offer. This will include a panel discussion with key members from our consultants committee negotiating team and an interactive Q&A session.

A drop-in session will be arranged for those who have not previously attended to ensure that you are familiar with the format for debate.

Who can attend?

The conference is open to any UK consultant who is a member of the BMA.

Each NHS trust or board medical staff committee or equivalent (or, where an MSC is not active, the relevant local negotiating committee) is entitled to send one elected consultant representative.

All members of the UK consultants committee, or their deputies, are also eligible to attend. After Wednesday 10 January 2024, any remaining places will be allocated to any consultant member of the BMA who wishes to attend, regardless of whether a representative from their organisation has already been appointed.

Motions for debate

Motions for debate must be submitted in advance and can be submitted via MSCs (or LNCs if no MSC), regional and national consultants committees and the UK consultants committee, its subcommittees and the specialty leads. The deadline for submission of motions is 5pm Sunday 21 January, 2024.

Please use this guidance for tips on writing motions.

Members are also encouraged to use the BMA’s motions advisory service, which offers support to anyone writing or considering writing a motion to the conference. The service can advise whether the BMA already has similar policy in your chosen area, provide you with sources for facts and figures to support your argument, signpost you to further guidance on the topic and provide guidance on the form BMA motions should take.

A dedicated webpage has been set up which offers guidance on writing motions in several formats or for more personal advice you can email: [email protected]

Care facilities

Care facilities for children and adult dependants are available for those who request them by Tuesday 6 February 2024. If you would like further information on care facilities, please indicate this on the registration form.

Informal reception

For those attending in person, an informal networking reception will take place directly after the conference at BMA House. There will be no formal conference dinner.