On the 25th of January, we had the great pleasure of partaking in the BMA Junior Members Forum (JMF) conference at Brighton. The JMF is a 2-day conference which provides an opportunity for members to discuss important issues which can be implemented towards BMA policy and the guidance of future work within the BMA. The conference focused on the topic of

Welfare and Wellbeing. In addition, this year’s workshops covered the Impact of Brexit, Addressing bullying and harassment, Activism and the NHS, Speechwriting and public speaking; and Widening Participation which Melanin Medics (Olamide Dada and Nadia Ibrahim) were invited to facilitate.

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Our workshop explored the need for effective Widening Participation (WP) initiatives and the roles in which schools play in one’s pursuit of a career in Medicine. According to HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), three per cent of UK medical students were of African Caribbean Heritage in comparison to 35 percent of medical students from BAME backgrounds, which addresses the need for solutions to eradicate socio-economic barriers which can be overcome. We also looked at how widening participation differs in the workplace in comparison to medical school access. It was clear that doctors from underrepresented backgrounds still face a significant number of challenges even after medical school, but these issues are not being recognised by the relevant bodies. Following on from the workshop, alongside the workshop participants (foundation doctors, medical students, GPs, registrars & trainees) we devised a motion regarding Widening Participation. We had the opportunity to propose this motion to all the attendees and the motion was subsequently passed, with the prospect of it becoming integral within BMA policy.

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We were glad to represent the views of our organisation at the event and to engage in important issues which are relevant to contributing towards an effective NHS.