Employee insights
September 2007
Julian Sheather
Senior Ethics Advisor
How long have you been at the BMA?
I have been at the BMA since 1997, although I have only been working in the Ethics Department since 2001.
What does your job involve?
As a Senior Ethics Adviser my job has a number of aspects. I advise doctors, either by telephone or in writing, in relation to ethical conflicts arising in their day-to-day practice. The inquiries are wide-ranging, from aspects of confidentiality, to the treatment of incapacitated adults, or consent issues in relation to young people.
An increasingly large part of my work involves working with the Parliamentary Unit to influence the development of primary legislation - over the last three years, for example, I have been heavily involved in the development of the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Amendment Act.
I also lecture widely at home and abroad, and take the lead on a variety of policy areas including public health ethics, health and human rights, and the ethics of NHS reform. I regularly draft position papers for the Ethics Committee in relation to a variety of policy issues, and publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals.
Why did you join the BMA?
It was a happy accident. I needed a part-time job while I was finishing a PhD, and started photocopying press cuttings in the press office a couple of hours a day.
Where did you work before starting at the BMA?
I was a full-time PhD student.
What do you most enjoy about working at the BMA?
I love the intellectually demanding nature of bioethics, and I very much like my colleagues.
Why do you feel challenged in your job?
Issues in medical ethics can be almost fathomlessly complex, and the political process interesting and combative - it can be quite fun taking ministers to task over the ethics of primary legislation.
Neville Carter
Head of Membership Development
How long have you worked at the BMA?
I have worked at the BMA since October 2005.
What does your job involve?
In my role as Head of Membership Development, I am responsible for all aspects of membership recruitment and retention. We initiate and manage recruitment campaigns; to target potential membership development areas; to maintain accurate membership records and statistics; and to gauge, understand and address the views of doctors on membership of the BMA.
Why did you join the BMA?
To gain some experience in the not for profit sector.
Where did you work before you joined the BMA?
RAC and British Airways.
What do you enjoy most about working at the BMA?
The challenge of delivering change in a complex environment.
Why do you feel challenged in your job?
Because change is difficult to introduce, this keeps me challenged!
Susan Solanki
Parliamentary Officer
How long have you worked at the BMA?
I've worked at the BMA since April 2006.
What does your job involve?
My job as Parliamentary Officer involves encouraging doctors to work with their local MPs to improve local health services. I also help brief MPs on health issues relevant to their constituencies.
Why did you join the BMA?
I joined the BMA because of my interest in health policy and the opportunity to work for a well-known, influential organisation.
Where did you work before you joined the BMA?
I was the Parliamentary Officer at the National Childbirth Trust for two years before I joined the BMA
What do you enjoy most about working at the BMA?
I've really enjoyed working with local doctors and MPs and learning about the variations in local health services across the UK.
Why do you feel challenged in your job?
As the BMA's first Parliamentary Liaison Officer, I've had to develop local and regional lobbying structures for the Association. I've established a number of opportunities to support local lobbying including meetings between doctors and MPs in the constituency. I've also encouraged doctors to brief MPs before parliamentary debates on local health services. The challenge for me will be to ensure that contact between MPs and doctors is ongoing and productive.
Lynn Landau
Centre Coordinator, Regional Services
How long have you worked at the BMA?
I have worked at the BMA since 1989.
What does your job involve?
My job as Centre Coordinator for Regional Services (our Trade Union) involves running the Northern Centre (Leeds). I manage four secretaries to ensure that effective secretarial support is provided to our Industrial Relations team in order to ensure that a smooth service is delivered to members in the North of England.
Why did you join the BMA?
I joined the BMA as it was a good job opportunity.
Where did you work before you joined the BMA?
I worked for another area of the organisation, before I joined Regional Services so I was well aware of the needs of doctors.
What do you enjoy most about working at the BMA?
What I enjoy most about the BMA is the drive and the friendly staff I work with.
Why do you feel challenged in your job?
I have new challenges to deal with everyday. You never know what's going to happen next!
Will Clarke
Support Services Manager
How long have you worked at the BMA?
I've been at the BMA since 1988.
What does your job involve?
As Supports Services Manager, I am responsible for providing the Helpdesk function and IT training for the BMA and BMJ (British Medical Journal), and also the Audio Visual Services such as video conferencing for the BMA House committee/meeting rooms.
Why did you join the BMA?
This was a long time ago and my previous job involved working through the night - BMA culture was much more amenable with working hours, and was and still is, a prestigious organisation.
Where did you work before you joined the BMA?
I worked for an Australian banking group, formerly Johnson Matthey Bankers in the city as an IT Operator.
What do you enjoy most about working at the BMA?
The diversity of the role and the surprises that can offer! Also I have a great team who give 110%
Why do you feel challenged in your job?
The constant juggle between pro-active and reactive services remains a challenge, as does setting customer expectations. The ongoing challenge of improving our services and seeing the rewards is what keeps me going.
Hugh Townsend
Senior Policy Executive
How long have you worked at the BMA?
I've been at the BMA in a variety of roles since September 2002.
What does your job involve?
I am currently Senior Policy Executive and Secretary to the Staff and Associate Specialist Committee. I run a small team that provides support to anyone working within this branch of practice through our committee which meets quarterly. We provide support for the committee in terms of policy advice at meetings and managing communications. We also advise Regional Services staff across the UK on SAS specific issues.
For the past three years we have been in negotiations with the Department of Health and their representatives on a new contract for this group of doctors. This has taken a lot of time but we have recently agreed a new contract which is currently being implemented.
Why did you join the BMA?
I started at the BMA as a temp soon after I had moved to London. I loved the people, was interested in health politics and could see all the interesting jobs available. Once I got a permanent job working on the GP contract negotiations there was no turning back!
Where did you work before you joined the BMA?
I had a few jobs in Exeter for the City Council and the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary but didnt really know where my career was going to go at that stage.
What do you enjoy most about working at the BMA?
The variety of work and the people I work with and meet.
Why do you feel challenged in your job?
There are often tight deadlines and there is a huge amount of responsibility when you are negotiating a national contract for over 12 thousand doctors and devising spending for a £75million budget. Its quite hard work but ultimately very rewarding.