New Chairman of BMA elected

Dr Mark Porter has been elected the new Chairman of the British Medical Association’s UK Council.

A consultant anaesthetist in Coventry, Dr Porter has been Chairman of the BMA’s Consultants Committee since 2009.

Dr Porter was elected from a shortlist of three candidates by the 34 voting members of the BMA Council at the Association’s annual conference.

He replaces Dr Hamish Meldrum, who has served as BMA Chairman since 2007.

“I’m excited and privileged to be taking on this role at what is clearly a particularly challenging time for the NHS and the medical profession,” Dr Porter said.

“The BMA will continue to work to help its members do the best for its patients during a time of huge change, and often huge financial difficulty, for the NHS.”

In his closing address as Chairman to the conference, Dr Meldrum urged doctors not to let their frustration with Government policy discourage them from negotiation.