Tom Dolphin

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT TOM DOLPHIN

I have always been part of trying to improve things around me. In my school days, I set up what later became my school’s Sixth Form Student Council with its own budget for the students to manage; at university, I was elected as the sabbatical Student President two years in a row. Once qualified as a doctor I became a part of – and then in charge of – the UK Junior Doctors Committee at the BMA, and many subsequent elected positions. In all these roles, I have always sought to do what is right for the people I have represented, guided by them. The pressures of a front-line NHS job as an anaesthetist bring out abilities that are useful in political roles: sensitive, timely communication; handling high-stakes, time-pressured situations; addressing problems when not all the information is available; and bringing diverse teams together quickly and leading them to achieve shared goals. My national roles at the BMA have given me the opportunity to represent my colleagues to ministers, civil servants, peers, agencies and professional bodies in the UK and overseas, as well as presenting our position on TV, radio and new media and in print many times over the years. The issues have been as diverse as whistle-blowing, working hours, pandemic influenza, and industrial action over the imposition of an unsafe and unfair contract, but the BMA has put me in front of cameras, conferences and individual decision-makers time and again because even with extremely challenging topics they have found me consistent, clear and honest in my communication style. I have directed policy negotiations in detail and put our views across to those in power, right to the top of Government. Pragmatic and affable in my approach, I know that people can better find a solution together if everyone’s needs are acknowledged, and that ultimately most people, of any political hue, are trying to do what they think is the right thing.