We've seen reports of trusts offering med students paid positions on the days of junior doctors strike action.
We strongly advise you NOT to take up these roles.
Students are here to learn & we continue to stand with those fighting for
#payrestoration
We fundamentally disagree with the decision by the UK Health bodies to move the Specialised Foundation Programme into the PIA system from 2025 and will fight for students by resisting this change in any way that we can.
Read the full statement 👇
We’re pleased that all reserve list UKFPO applicants have been allocated to a Foundation School. This is earlier confirmation than in recent years where confirmation has been made in May or June. (1/2)
Diversity in medical education benefits everyone, so we’re deeply concerned to see the A-level results process has disadvantaged some students. We raised concerns about the process early on and will continue to take action on this – more info to follow
We are aware of that
@UKFPO
released SJT scores yesterday without prior notice.
Without contextual information, this will cause anxiety for many med students across the UK.
We've contacted them to confirm the validity of these scores & arrange for further info to be released.
After contact from the BMA's legal representatives, Yorkshire & Humber Foundation School has changed the selection process for its Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP).
Read our statement on the latest updates 👇👇👇
“It is abundantly clear that we have a Government who refuses to fund the training for the doctors of tomorrow and who also refuses to pay fairly the ones we have today.”
@DrPhilBanfield
responds to the Gov’s U-turn on medical school expansion promise:
Junior doctors have voted YES to strike action in England.
This is a giant step forward for junior doctors and
#PayRestoration
. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard for this. Keep an eye out for next steps.
#BMADoctorsVoteYes
No student should have to choose between completing their degree and making ends meet.
@KMeghrawi
is quoted in this BBC News article - well done to the
#LiveableNHSBursary
team for raising this issue on a national level
The ban on conversion therapy should extend to every member of the LGBTQ+ community - despite Govt's plans to exclude trans people from its protections.
Act today by asking your medical school to sign the
@GLADDUK
charter.
MSC welcomes the news from UKFPO that there will be NO reserve list for FP23 and that ALL applicants will be allocated a deanery on 9 March. It's great to see that our involvement and support on this issue has helped to make positive changes to students
Update for final year med students
We contacted UKFPO last week for clarity on the process of allocating students to their programme/group. On Weds they finally confirmed that programme/group ranking would follow the same two-pass format as the foundation school allocation (1/3)
Today’s A-level u-turn is vital – we need swift action to reassure those affected and to make clear how the new grading process will not disadvantage talented students from entering medicine. In particular we need to see… (THREAD 1/5) 👇👇👇
#SJT
booking issues have caused unacceptable disruption to medical students. This is especially concerning given last year's promises from
@UKFPO
.
We’ll be challenging them to make specific commitments on their conduct towards students and ensure this doesn’t happen again
The UK has lost 30% of its senior clinical lecturers since 2004. The changes to the Specialised Foundation Programme needs to support students interested in medical academia, not put up barriers in their way.
Our medical student finance survey uncovers some stark truths about life at medical school, and the precarious financial situation many of our future doctors find themselves in.
It highlights the need for reform of a broken student finance system
Our latest statement from
@rsb8s
@Tinaye_M
on the distressing reports from medical students undergoing SJT exams.
We are taking this up with the UKFPO as a matter of urgency
"This is the future of our profession."
Watch medical students speak up on why it's vital we support our colleagues in the fight for
#PayRestoration
.
@CNnadi_
SJT LETTER TO
@UKFPO
This afternoon we've written to UKFPO to raise the distressing experiences of our members and medical student colleagues sitting the SJT remotely. (1/5)
28 medical schools have now signed up to our racial harassment charter! Huge thanks to the many medical student reps who've worked so hard on this - we're going to keep working for racial equality across medical schools and the NHS
Final year medical students - we've waived your BMA membership fees until October so we can make sure we're able to support those starting as FY1s earlier than expected.
Read the email sent to members:
#COVID19
UPDATE FOR FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS
As many medical students face having their graduation moved forward to help tackle COVID-19, we have answered some key Qs over on facebook:
@Gurdas2209
@ChrisSmith2211
We've developed new guidance for medical students who have been asked to work in the
#NHS
to support the efforts against
#COVID19
, including info on your contract and the employer's responsibilities. If this applies to you, read more:
Finalists, we hope you are happy with your allocated foundation schools. We want to hear from you, regardless of you getting your first or last choice. Tell us how you found it and we will collate the feedback to take to the UKFPO.
Great news! Following extensive lobbying, UKFPO have guaranteed all eligible applicants for the 2024 Foundation programme a 2 year place from August 2024. After 2 years without a formal reserve list, we hope to see this guarantee replicated long-term.
We are committed to making sure medical education is inclusive and diverse, including ensuring UK medical school curricula reflect the diversity of our population. Read our joint statement with
@ACmedicalmentor
@ACMS_KCL
@MelaninMedics
@blackmedicalsoc
We want to reassure final years currently worrying about being on the reserve list for foundation jobs: the BMA has received a commitment from DHSC that all UK graduates will be provided with a foundation post. For more info please contact us here or info.students
@bma
.org.uk
"Choices you make at 15 or 16 shouldn't dictate whether you can become a doctor" - Caitlin Edwards on her
#medstudentconf
motion on widening participation
All medical graduates should be guaranteed foundation places.
Read our press response to the news that 791 final year medical students are on the reserve list.
'This should be a profession where any of us who display dedication, talent and commitment can thrive, regardless of skin colour, religion or bank balance'. Our medical students committee chairs
@Gurdas2209
@ChrisSmith2211
address
#ARM2019
Our student finance survey reveals the impact of a broken student finance system. A shocking 6/10 medical students cutting back or going without necessities, with many considering quitting at a time when the NHS is already short thousands of doctors
Medical students: write to your local MP today and ask them if they will stand with us, support us and let us focus on our studies.
Let’s fight together for fair and equitable funding for all medical students.
#MedStudentsMatter
📄🖊️👇
Yesterday, final year medical students received their foundation school allocations. We hope you matched to your chosen school, however we understand many students are unhappy. We've lobbied and will continue to lobby the UKFPO to build a system that works for all students.
‘Where you are born, live or go to school shouldn’t determine whether you go to medical school’ St George’s have their motion passed regarding contextual admissions policies.
#MEDStudentConf
MSC and the medical student community have had long-standing objections to the removal of Educational Achievement points from the Educational Performance Measure and we are very disappointed this has now been announced without warning
Congratulations to
@shivani_g22
and
@CNnadi_
on their election as co-chairs of the BMA medical students committee, and congratulations to everyone elected to the committee for the next academic year
"
#DearMedicalStudent
, your patients are so much more than the disease or organ system you may choose to specialise in: learn enough to see what else is affecting them, and listen enough to find out what troubles them" - Gerald's advice to medical students
Student mental health has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with many isolated from their usual support networks and facing increased uncertainty.
Here's
@marinadpol
on why we need action, not just awareness, on
#UniMentalHealthDay
"
#DearMedicalStudent
, whatever you do, find a GP that inspires you, and talk to him/her about what General Practice is really like. Don't let the detractors put you off. It's a truly fascinating career, and you will never be bored!" - Dr Dylan Parry
Will your MP stand with medical students?
We're calling on the Government to ensure no-one is forced out of medical school because they can't afford to continue their studies.
Use our easy tool to write to your MP today.
#DearMedicalStudent
- these are difficult times for all of us. Don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it.
Our free and confidential wellbeing services are available 24/7:
Great news for new FY1 doctors!
The hard work of MSC reps and engagement with the UKFPO has helped secure funding for additional support for new FY1 doctors with an extended 5 days' voluntary, paid shadowing in 2021.
@BMAstudents
worked with UKFPO to secure additional support for new FY1 doctors, who have the required skills but may feel more anxious compared to predecessors due to Covid-19 disruption to training, with an extra 5 days' voluntary, paid shadowing in 2021.
#MedStudentTwitter
Last week it was announced the SFP allocation process would move to Preference Informed Allocation.
We’re concerned about how students were involved in the decision. Where do YOU think this decision falls on the Arnstein Ladder of citizen participation? Poll below 👇
Medical schools can and should take a stand against the racism that still affects black medical students around the country. We’re continuing to campaign for medical schools to adopt our racial harassment charter
#BlackLivesMatter
As medical students we can't vote in the junior doctors ballot, but we CAN work to spread the word and encourage our colleagues to vote.
Please share.
#BMADoctorsVoteYes
#PayRestoration
Thanks to everyone who has alerted us to serious problems with the online SJT. We’re looking into this urgently, so watch out for further updates. In the meantime if you’re a member who’s been affected, please get in touch with the BMA for support
'Self Care' has become a bit of a buzzword - but what does it really mean for us as medics?
For
#SelfCareWeek
@marinadpol
has written a thought-provoking blog on why we need to look beyond the 'instagrammable' side of self care. Give it a read here:
This is an extremely stressful time for finalists, with many in the middle of their final exams. With this in mind it is very disappointing that this was not communicated to students effectively. (2/3)
As our members return to medical school in the coming weeks, we've set out our position on how students should be kept safe, fulfilled, and looked after. Read the blog from
@ChrisSmith2211
on how we're supporting you:
‘Students shouldn’t have to choose between having a child and having the job they want’. Swansea medical school are calling on the BMA to lobby the Foundation Programme to extend special circumstances to students who are pregnant or with a pregnant partner
#MEDStudentConf
We know that BAME medical students can face unacceptable barriers to achieving their full potential as they train to become doctors, including experiencing or witnessing racial harassment
Your medical students committee had their 3rd meeting of the year on Friday.
We discussed several issues facing medical students including:
- UK Foundation Programme reform
- Medical student finances
- Medical apprenticeships
- The junior doctor pay dispute in England
We’re aware of issues and concerns from medical students over opportunities for working in the NHS, particularly as part of the vaccination rollout. If this is you, please speak to your MSC reps or BMA employment advisers!
What would you do if you came across someone who's been stabbed? Omolara Akinnawonu's work with
@streetdoctors
informed her motion on
#knifecrime
which passed unanimously today
#medstudentconf
Please be assured that we are looking into this as a matter of urgency; we will provide an update as soon as we are able. If you are a BMA member affected by this issue you can contact our advisers to discuss
Our teams are aware and will be contacting relevant trusts.
The protections that medical students have in these roles is unclear, and if you have any concerns you would like to relay please continue to get in touch with our support team
#DearMedicalStudent
"You are and should remain an individual. You reflect the patient body we care for, through your differences, perspectives, experiences. Remember what you bring to medicine, as much as what medicine gives you, and celebrate the unique set of skills you have"
With the recent changes to the Specialized Foundation Programme allocations made by UK health bodies, here is what students have to say. Once again, a decision that impacts all medical students, made without student consultation.
What are your thoughts?
"
#DearMedicalStudent
, trust your instincts and don't be afraid to speak up if you see something that feels wrong. You may not know the boundaries of the anatomical snuffbox (yet) but your eyes, ears and conscience work as well as anyone else's!"- Alessia Waller, medical student
Great news! Our hard work pushing for better NHS Bursary funding throughout the duration of your degrees has paid off! This means:
✅50% uplift in TDAE for clinical placements
✅uplift in the NHS bursary means-testing threshold from £24,279 to £26,076
Better support and a more open culture could make a world of difference for medical students with disabilities.
For
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
take a moment to read the blog from Beth Dillon on her experiences
We've written to
@UKFPO
today, along with
@BMA_Academics
, over the recent announcement of plans to remove EAs.
We're continuing to reflect the strong concerns of medical students over this issue - read the full letter here:
@rsb8s
@Tinaye_M
We're very disappointed to hear students are facing difficulty in booking reasonable adjustments for their SJT this year. We understand how trying this is during an already very stressful period. We've contacted
@UKFPO
as a matter of urgency to ensure no student is disadvantaged
We're dismayed at the decision to remove educational achievements from the foundation programme application process, and the way it was communicated to medical students. Read more:
If you're a BMA member with concerns, get in touch with us for support
@Dr_R_Acres
@thegradmedic
Hi Dr Acres, thank you for bringing this thread to our attention. Our team of advisers will be more than happy to support with this matter, the easiest way to get through to us is usually via phone call on 0300 123 1233, our employment advisers are available from 8am-8pm.
Are you about to graduate and become and FY1 doctor? If so you can now take part in the junior doctors re-ballot.
Follow these easy steps to take part:
Congratulations to
@ChrisSmith2211
and
@Gurdas2209
who have been voted co-chairs of the Medical Students Committee for the coming year. Thanks and good luck to outgoing chair
@HarryDECarter
Freshers' week will be a little different this year - we're running a free virtual conference for first year medical students around the UK.
14th October - save the date!
There's plenty we can do to help our junior doctor colleagues in England as they strike for
#PayRestoration
.
Join our webinar next Tuesday to learn more:
Read and share our guidance for Medical Students during the upcoming Junior Doctor strikes on 13-15 March
If you have any questions about the guidance please contact us info.students
@bma
.org.uk or via your Rep
Today is the day. BMA Council has approved a single national strike ballot of our junior doctor members in England from Monday 9 January 2023. Are you
#BMABallotReady
?
To vote you must be a member
Update your details here
Motion passed! Newcastle, Aberdeen, Nottingham AND Lancaster all submitted motions about the Caucasian centred nature of our medical education, calling on the BMA to lobby medical schools to change their curriculum.
#MedStudentConf
#MedEd
"The fate of medical students, and the future of our profession, hangs in the balance."
Our MSC co-chairs
@shivani_g22
@CNnadi_
address
#MedStudentConf
on how we can make change together.
The Government’s decision to freeze tuition fees does not go far enough for struggling medical students.
Read the full press release from
@WayoftheRay
on today’s announcement
#LiveableNHSBursary
How should an intercalated masters be funded? Leicester medical school calls for the BMA to lobby Student Finance England to increase available funding, or is a masters a privilege medical students are not automatically entitled to?
#MEDStudentConf
#SFE
We are re-balloting junior doctors in England to extend our mandate to strike beyond August.
Make sure your details are up to date and look out for your ballot from 19 June
Turns out medicine does have a funny side, as we discovered last week when we bumped into the cast of the Fresh Prince of Healthcare while filming in Scotland. Well done
@SGULRevue
!
While this provides some reassurance, applicants still await confirmation of their programme allocation; a process that'll take place over the coming weeks and months as places become available. For more info visit the foundation programme website (2/2)