New sexism row engulfs the British Medical Association after conference chair accuses members of being 'condescending' and 'belittling' to women Dr Latifa Patel said she had been disrespected and subject to 'poor behaviours' By Shaun Wooller Published: 01:07, 27 June 2024 | Updated: 07:50, 27 June 2024 e-mail 16 View comments The doctors’ union is engulfed in a new sexism row after members were accused of being ‘condescending’ and ‘belittling’ to women. Dr Latifa Patel, who chaired this week’s British Medical Association (BMA) annual conference in Belfast , claimed she had been disrespected and subjected to ‘poor behaviours’. She told delegates she and Dr Emma Runswick, BMA council deputy chairman, were treated differently to male predecessors.
It suggests the culture has not changed five years after Daphne Romney QC conducted an independent review of sexism at the doctors’ union. Dr Latifa Patel, who chaired the BMA's annual conference this year, said she had been subject to 'poor behaviours' She said that she and Dr Emma Runswick (pictured), BMA council deputy chairman, were treated differently to their male predecessors Some men addressed women in demeaning terms, such as ‘naughty girls’, touched them inappropriately and ogled their breasts, the report found. Dr Patel urged members to vote for more women and minorities in internal elections.
She said: ‘If you want to be a representative body, you need to support the women around you.’ The row risk.
