BIDA at 50
A lot has changed since his day
BIDA was formed in May 1975 as the Overseas Doctor’s Association (ODA), holding our first conference in that same year. It was largely a social networking organisation for the first communities coming to Britain to support the NHS.
Celebrating our first decade and opening our office in the late 1980’s, we also launched our BIDA Fellowship Awards at that time.
Our first international conference took place in 1991 and by 1998 we had a fully ratified constitution. After the Silver Jubilee in 2000 we became BIDA and in 2018, we presented our first long achievement awards. From being an organisation that largely welcomed doctors to the UK, we have now become the voice for this community, working in partnership with NHS Trusts, academics and the General Medical Council.
BIDA now
BIDA is now a membership organisation supporting international doctors and other medics coming to the United Kingdom. We retain our places is a great social network but now also campaign to raises awareness of issues such as racism and misogyny in the workplace. BIDA also allows its membership to share expertise and keep up with the fast paced, ever-changing nature of the healthcare profession in the UK.
Your Memories
Going forwards, we intend to use this page to showcase your memories of the last 50 years in healthcare. How have things changed? Have they altered for the better? Send us your thoughts and we will highlight them, here.