BMA calls for equal treatment for mental and physical ill health

The BMA is calling for the equal treatment of mental and physical health for healthcare workers

The BMA has called for the equal treatment for mental and physical ill health for medical students and doctors, to reduce the stigma for people taking sick leave due to mental ill health.

Members of the BMA voted to accept the motion proposed by its junior members at the Annual Representative Meeting in Belfast, and called on the association to produce best practice guidelines for universities and employers.

BMA medical students committee co-chair, Gurdas Singh, said: “With a recent report by the BMA revealing the extent of the mental health crisis among medical students and doctors, with eight in 10 at high or very high risk of burnout and over a quarter having been diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point, this is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed.

“The BMA, therefore, calls for equal and just treatment for mental and physical ill health for medical students and doctors to reduce the stigma for those who need to take sick leave due to mental ill health, which is particularly important given its prevalence amongst the medical profession.

“In keeping with part of the wider BMA project looking at the mental health of the profession the BMA is using its research in this area to inform a wellbeing charter with specific asks for universities and employers so we can begin to make these much-needed changes.”

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