British Medical Association (BMA)

The British Medical Association (BMA) is a professional association and trade union representing doctors in the United Kingdom. It advocates for doctors' interests and influences healthcare policy. The BMA is currently newsworthy due to an ongoing dispute with the government regarding pay and working conditions for resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) in England. This dispute has led to repeated strike action, impacting the National Health Service (NHS). Recent developments include resident doctors voting to continue industrial action for another six months after rejecting a government offer. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged the BMA to accept revised offers, warning that strikes, coupled with a surge in flu cases and existing pressures like patient violence against staff, could severely destabilize the NHS. The BMA's actions and negotiations are highly relevant as they directly affect the functioning of the NHS and the healthcare available to the public.