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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/17/bma-apologises-to-female-doctors-over-sexism
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| BMA apologises to female doctors over sexism | BMA apologises to female doctors over sexism |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The British Medical Association has apologised to female doctors who have suffered sexism and sexual harassment after an independent inquiry described it as an “old boys’ club” that undervalues women. | |
| The trade union that represents about 70% of Britain’s 240,000 doctors has promised sweeping reforms of its processes and culture in response to a damning report . | The trade union that represents about 70% of Britain’s 240,000 doctors has promised sweeping reforms of its processes and culture in response to a damning report . |
| Daphne Romney QC found that some female medics and BMA personnel “feel they are undervalued, ignored and patronised because they are women. This applies to both doctors and members of [union] staff. | Daphne Romney QC found that some female medics and BMA personnel “feel they are undervalued, ignored and patronised because they are women. This applies to both doctors and members of [union] staff. |
| “This is because of an ‘old boys’ club’ culture for some that lingers on without proper challenge, which treats women as of less importance and ability.” | “This is because of an ‘old boys’ club’ culture for some that lingers on without proper challenge, which treats women as of less importance and ability.” |
| In a hard-hitting 32-page report Romney urged the BMA to take action to tackle “the damaging elements of its discriminatory culture, including the (limited) instances of sexual harassment”. | In a hard-hitting 32-page report Romney urged the BMA to take action to tackle “the damaging elements of its discriminatory culture, including the (limited) instances of sexual harassment”. |
| The BMA commissioned Romney’s inquiry after two female members of its GPs’ committee, Dr Zoe Norris and Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, told the website GPonline about a number of incidents that they said demonstrated a “sexist” culture within the committee. | The BMA commissioned Romney’s inquiry after two female members of its GPs’ committee, Dr Zoe Norris and Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, told the website GPonline about a number of incidents that they said demonstrated a “sexist” culture within the committee. |
| They included claims that a senior women on the committee had been propositioned by a male colleague, leaving her feeling unable to attend committee events away from her home area without a relative. Another female family doctor had been sent an unsolicited photograph by a man on the committee of himself naked. | They included claims that a senior women on the committee had been propositioned by a male colleague, leaving her feeling unable to attend committee events away from her home area without a relative. Another female family doctor had been sent an unsolicited photograph by a man on the committee of himself naked. |
| Others described how they had been targeted by remarks which were crude, sexist or belittling, such as “naughty girl”, and frozen out at GPs’ committee meetings. | Others described how they had been targeted by remarks which were crude, sexist or belittling, such as “naughty girl”, and frozen out at GPs’ committee meetings. |
| The BMA’s leader, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, an ex-chair of the committee, said: “I am truly appalled to learn that members and staff have been subjected to sexism and sexual harassment and the behaviours described in this report. These behaviours have no place within the BMA. | |
| “I am deeply sorry to those who have been affected and I thank all those individuals who came forward to contribute to the review.” | “I am deeply sorry to those who have been affected and I thank all those individuals who came forward to contribute to the review.” |
| Dr Helena McKeown, the chair of the BMA’s representative body, said the report should be “a springboard for change” within the BMA and that that process had already begun. | Dr Helena McKeown, the chair of the BMA’s representative body, said the report should be “a springboard for change” within the BMA and that that process had already begun. |
| “I am deeply sorry that doctors and staff have endured this inexcusable behaviour,” said McKeown. “I am of an age where sexism has pervaded so many parts of my personal and working life for too long.” | |
| In all, 82 people gave evidence to Romney’s inquiry. Her report makes clear that the union’s problems with sexism and sexual harassment are not confined to the GPs committee and “arise across the BMA”. | In all, 82 people gave evidence to Romney’s inquiry. Her report makes clear that the union’s problems with sexism and sexual harassment are not confined to the GPs committee and “arise across the BMA”. |
| The union has never had a female chair of council (leader) in its 187-year history and women are under-represented on BMA committees, she added. | The union has never had a female chair of council (leader) in its 187-year history and women are under-represented on BMA committees, she added. |
| Dr Nikita Kanani, NHS England’s medical director of primary care and a London GP, said: “The findings of the independent investigation into the claims of sexism and sexual harassment within the BMA are appalling. This sort of behaviour is unacceptable in any walk of life, and people who treat women in this way have no place in our profession and no place in our leadership.” | |
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