British Medical Association
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The logo of the association. |
The
British Medical Association (
BMA) is the professional body to which the vast majority of British doctors belong. It is based in
Tavistock Square in central
London. It owns the "
British Medical Journal", one of the world's more prestigious medical journals.
It was established by the amalgamation of several regional medical associations, of which the original was probably that from Worcester, and dates from around 1860.
It has a complex representational structure which allows doctors to be represented both by the geographical area in which they work, and by the various craft committees. The craft committees comprise (in alphabetical order):
* Central Consultants and Specialists Committee
* General Practice Committee
* Junior Doctors Committee
* Medical Academic Staff Committee
* Medical Students Committee
* Public Health Medicine and Community Health Committees.
* Staff and Associate Specialists Committee
The BMA has sole negotiating rights for national Terms and Conditions of Service for doctors working in the
National Health Service (NHS).
The BMA also carries out professional activities including supporting public health initiatives such as a ban on smoking in public places, responding on behalf of doctors to consultations by national public bodies and the Government, and promoting the views and reputation of doctors in different arenas.
The BMA is not responsible for registering doctors for practice in the United Kingdom; this role is carried out by the
General Medical Council. Membership of the BMA is voluntary.
The
Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) is another professional body in the UK specifically designed for senior hospital doctors.
On the 7th of July 2005, one of the
bombings on the London Transport system was on a Bus in
Tavistock Square in central
London, very close to the headquarters of the BMA. Doctors from within the building were some of the first to provide emergency medical assistance to those involved.
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Official website
