The BMA have apologised to female doctors who have experienced sexism and sexual harassment after an independent enquiry described it as 'an old boys' club' that undervalued women.

The trade union which represents about 70% of Britain's 240,000 doctors, has promised sweeping reforms of its processes and culture in response to the findings, reported The Guardian on 20 October.

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."

In her 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 enquiry after 2 female members of its GPs committee, Dr Zoe Norris and Dr Katie Bramall-Stanier told the website, GP Online about a number of incidents that they said demonstrated a "sexist" culture within the committee. They included claims that a senior woman on the committee was propositioned by a male colleague, leaving her feeling unable to attend committee events away from her home area without a relative.

For further details, the full articles can be read here: 

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/17/bma-apologises-to-female-doctors-over-sexism