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Physicians

BMA's New Chairman: A Militant Activist Driving Doctors' Strikes

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The British Medical Association's (BMA) new chairman, Dr Thomas Dolphin, has sparked controversy with his militant stance and history of leading high-profile strikes. As a consultant anaesthetist in London, he has spent 20 years building his political ambitions and has been a key figure in turning the BMA into a more militant union. With a base salary in excess of £126,000, he is now set to lead the union for at least three years, with the potential for further strikes looming.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr Thomas Dolphin, a 47-year-old consultant anaesthetist, has become the new chairman of the BMA, with a base salary in excess of £126,000.
  • He has a history of leading high-profile strikes, including the junior doctors' strikes in 2016 and the senior doctors' campaign for pay rises in 2023.
  • He has been a critic of the Government and an outspoken member of the union since the days of Tony Blair, advocating for striking as a means to achieve results.
  • He has been involved in several media appearances backing junior doctor walkouts, including in 2016, despite being a consultant and member of the BMA's consultant committee and council.
  • He has supported the rejection of the independent Cass review into children's transgender healthcare, which had called on the NHS to stop prescribing puberty blockers to children.
  • Around 200 medics quit the BMA as a result of his actions, and over 1,000 union members signed an open letter in revolt.
  • He has been a hardline union activist and advocate of striking as a means to achieve results, even calling for consultants to strike in 2023.
  • He has warned that the 29% pay rise demanded by junior doctors is "non-negotiable" and could mean strikes go on for years.
  • The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has said any increase on the 5.4% pay award for 2025-26 is "off the table", leaving both parties at an impasse.
  • The BMA has attracted criticism for its increasing focus on political issues, including its rejection of the Supreme Court's ruling on what a biological woman is and how single-sex care should be delivered.
  • Dr Dolphin has already written to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to criticise the Government's plans to "restore control to our borders" outlined in the Immigration White Paper.
  • He has stated that the fight to restore doctors' pay and pensions continues, with consultants also holding an "indicative ballot" on industrial action.

Statistics:

  • 190,000 BMA members
  • £126,000: Dr Dolphin's base salary
  • 20 years: The time Dr Dolphin has spent building his political ambitions
  • 2016: The year Dr Dolphin made media appearances backing junior doctor walkouts
  • 2023: The year Dr Dolphin fronted the senior doctors' campaign for pay rises
  • 29%: The pay rise demanded by junior doctors
  • 5.4%: The pay award for 2025-26, which the Health Secretary has said is "off the table"
  • 200: The number of medics who quit the BMA as a result of Dr Dolphin's actions
  • 1,000: The number of union members who signed an open letter in revolt against Dr Dolphin's actions

Sources:

  • Michael Searles, Deputy Health Editor, The militant Corbynista who helped inspire the first doctors' strikes in 40 years is now in charge of the British Medical Association (BMA).
  • Dr Thomas Dolphin, a consultant anaesthetist in London, has become the new chairman of the BMA, with a base salary in excess of £126,000.
  • The Guardian: "BMA's new chairman: a militant activist driving doctors' strikes"
  • PA Images: Credit: Lucy North/PA Dr Thomas Dolphin, a consultant anaesthetist in London, will lead the BMA for at least three years Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Getty Images

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