Here's how to lobby your MP if you feel as though you want to help to correct the accommodation problem.

Quick and easy... send them an e-mail, click here. This will first ask you for your postcode and then forward you to a pre-written e-mail to your local MP. You may wish to personalise the message to have more impact.

See below for ideas about what to raise with your local MP.

Key issues to raise with MPs
Do mention to your local MP why they need to be informed about the loss of free accommodation by emphasising as a constituent:

NHS Employers (which represents NHS trusts and negotiates on behalf of the Government) needs to engage in negotiations with the BMA so that an acceptable agreement can be reached. The MP can help raise your case as a constituent by writing to ministers at the Department of Health, outlining the need for NHS Employers to negotiate with the BMA as soon as possible to reach an agreement.

How loss of free accommodation negatively impacts on first year junior doctors, especially as, according to BMA research, final year medical students will graduate with an average of over £20,000 debt.

That the entitlement to free accommodation was worth an average of £400 a month and that first year junior doctors have had an effective 20% pay cut.

For other ways to contact them:

How to raise these issues with your local MP(s)
Identifying your MP

You can find out who your MP is through this website:

If you would like any help in finding your local MP(s) or for further information, please contact Rob Okunnu, Senior Parliamentary Advisor at parliamentaryunit@bma.org.uk

1. Emailing your MP:
Once you’ve identified your MP(s), the next step is to approach them. You can contact the MP in the constituency you are registered to vote. You can email your MP from our lobbying tool.

Alternatively, you may want to meet your MP face-to-face or telephone them.

2. Telephoning your MP:
To speak to your MP between Monday and Thursday, call them at the House of Commons. You can find out what your MP’s House of Commons phone number is by phoning the House of Commons switchboard on 020 7219 3000 (ask to be put through to your MP). If you would like to speak to your MP on a Friday, contact the MP’s office at the House of Commons and ask for their constituency telephone number.

Tips to remember when telephoning your MP:

Keep it short and keep it simple - only raise two or three issues.

Be positive.

Outline what you want the MP to do.

3. Meeting your MP face-to-face:
A face-to-face meeting is by far the best way to lobby MPs because of the opportunity to build up a personal relationship with them. MPs are based in Westminster from Monday to Thursday and in the constituency on a Friday. If you are based outside London, Fridays are the best days for you to try and secure a meeting with your MP.

Securing a meeting: Telephone the MP’s constituency office and explain that you are a constituent works or studies in the MP’s constituency.

Explain that you would like to arrange a meeting on a Friday morning or afternoon with the MP to discuss the impact of the loss of free accommodation for first year junior doctors in his/her constituency.

Offer two or three times/ dates when you are available for a meeting.

Preparing for the meeting: Identify colleagues who may wish to attend the meeting with you e.g. another medical student/junior doctor. It is preferable not to have more than three people involved.

Prepare your case in advance; if going with colleagues, discuss between you the points you want to raise. Raise only two or three key points - you don’t want your core message to get lost.

Make sure you have facts to hand to back up the key points you want to make. Our briefing note that gives background to the loss of free accommodation is a useful guide: http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/fhoaccom1207

Don’t worry if you are faced with a question you can’t answer - tell the MP you will write with the information.

If possible, leave the MP with written information so that there is a record of the points raised.

Be clear about what you want the MP to do e.g. lobby Ministers on your behalf, table parliamentary questions, contact the PCT, raise the issue in the media.

After the meeting:
Send the MP a follow-up letter reiterating the key points you have made and any 'actions' you would like them to take.

If you have any queries, questions or would like further advice, please contact the BMA’s Parliamentary Unit