The BMA and its staff’s private health cover

Gaudy, supposedly personalised, advertising banners flash down the side of my email account. I am surprised that they promote online casinos, budget holiday sites, and, most commonly, private medical insurance. A smiling, white coated young woman suggests that I can “jump NHS queues.” These adverts amuse and irritate me by the same token.

The BMA recently started offering a private medical plan to its entire staff. Employees pay directly through their salaries but benefit from reductions in national insurance contributions. However, the directors and the senior managers of the BMA have had private medicine as part of their remuneration for some time. …