About the BMA in Scotland
Background
The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland has had a presence in Scotland from the mid 19th century and a headquarters in Edinburgh since 1925. However Scotland's connections with the BMA date back to earlier times. Dr Charles Hastings, a graduate of Edinburgh University Medical School, established the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association in 1832 which was renamed the BMA in 1856. BMA Scotland is located at 14 Queen Street, Edinburgh - see more information here.
From July 1999 a number of functions formerly carried out by the Government in Edinburgh and Whitehall passed to the new Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. The Parliament has devolved responsibility for health matters generally including the NHS in Scotland, the education and training of health professionals and the terms and conditions of service of NHS staff and general practitioners. Following devolution the BMA has sought to represent the interests of the membership and the public at Holyrood and with Scottish Ministers.
Committee structure
The Scottish Council of the BMA - get more information here, the representative body of the organisation in Scotland, is directly elected by its constituent membership. There are five committees responsible for negotiation and representation of the different crafts which are all open to non-members of the BMA. They are as follows:
- Scottish General Practitioners Committee (SGPC) - read more here
- Scottish Consultants Committee (SCC)- get more here representing senior hospital doctors
- Scottish Junior Doctors Committee (SJDC) - read more here
- Scottish Medical Academic Staff Committee (SMASC) - read more here
- Scottish Staff and Associate Specialists Committee (SSASC) - read more here.
- In addition, the Scottish Medical Students Committee (SMSC) - read more here is open to student members of the BMA in Scotland.
The BMA offices in Scotland support over 13,000 members from every branch of the medical profession.
The BMA is the voice of the medical profession putting across to politicians, the public and the media, the collective views of the profession on a wide range of subjects including medical ethics and health service issues.
Doctors in Scotland are represented through the BMA's craft committees and BMA Scottish Council. These committees meet regularly to consider issues affecting the medical profession and patient care in Scotland. BMA representatives take forward issues in discussion and negotiation with acute and primary care trusts, health boards, and the Scottish Government Health Directorates.
The BMA has also established a network of Local Negotiating Committees (LNCs) in hospital trusts throughout Scotland. These committees ensure that a dialogue is maintained between doctors and management in the workplace.
BMA divisions
All BMA members belong to a local division. Scotland has 23 divisions, which play an important role in the making of Association policy through submitting motions and sending divisional representatives to the Annual Representative Meeting (ARM). Local divisions may also act as a focus for medical, medico-political and social events for doctors.
Medical students
Scotland has five medical schools at the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews. Student members gain particular benefits which are designed to support them through their undergraduate years and as they prepare to enter medicine following graduation.
Staff in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen organise an annual programme of events to promote the work of the Association and assist students during their training. Events have included 'House Officer Jobs', 'Elective Evenings' and 'Career Fairs'. Student members can take advantage of the preferential student loan scheme run in conjunction with the Clydesdale Bank in Scotland. Student membership includes a free subscription to Student BMJ.
Student representatives from Scotland attend the Scottish Medical Students Committee which campaigns along with the central BMA Medical Students Committee on issues such as student finances, education reforms and health and safety central. A student representative also sits as a member on Scottish Council of the BMA.
Services to members - get more information here.
Seminars
The BMA in Scotland arranges training courses and seminars on national and topical issues for the benefit of members - read more here. BMA local staff provide training courses on professional issues ranging from choosing a first house officer job to planning for retirement, from becoming a GP principal to becoming a consultant, and from working abroad to maternity leave. The programme of events varies each year and details are available from the local office.
Press and Parliamentary affairs
The BMA team in Scotland includes a public affairs division - get more information here which is the first point of contact for media and public enquiries and which liaises with members of the Scottish Parliament and with prospective MSPs.