BDA: Dietetic Assistant Membership
Dear Fellow Dietetic Support Worker,
I am the Dietetic Support Worker Observer Member on the Council of the British Dietetic Association. I was recently re-elected by those support workers who are already Associate members of the BDA, to sit for a second year on Council. My role is to represent the views and concerns of all dietetic support workers throughout the UK and to keep you all informed and up to date of any new developments as they happen.
However, in order for your views about training, career development and any other issues, to be heard, you do need to be an Associate Member of the BDA and the more members there are, the louder our collective voice will be!
I am often told by support workers that they think membership is too expensive and not good value. So, what do you get for your money? Check out the following benefits:
- Professional Indemnity Insurance: a brand new benefit, Dietetic Support Workers are now eligible for professional indemnity insurance, with cover for up to £3m for any one claim, as part of our membership package!
- Trade Union Membership: Dietetic Support Workers are also entitled to full Trade Union representation and advice because the BDA is also the Trade Union for the profession. This
means that you do not need to be a member of any other trade union, with extra fees
to pay, as these are included in your annual BDA membership subscription.
The BDA’s union specialises in working with NHS dietetic departments both in hospitals and the community, and is committed to protecting all its members’ interests.
Trained local Trade Union representatives are available to represent the interests and views of BDA members regarding local employment relations issues such as pay and conditions, equal opportunities, maternity rights, health and safety and much more – so you never need tackle issues on your own. They can also help and advise you on Agenda for Change appeals, and you also have access to free advice on a wide variety of legal issues through Thompsons Solicitors.
In my opinion, these two benefits alone are worth the subscription fee!
As if that wasn’t enough, you will also receive a monthly copy of Dietetics Today with a dedicated Dietetic Support Worker page and information on available training and courses, plus access to the members’ only section of the BDA website with up-to-date information, useful professional guidelines and other publications – many of which are relevant to support workers. We’re also developing a dedicated web page, so there’s lots going on for dietetic support workers!
You will also have the right to join any of the Specialist Groups or Branches of the BDA, offering access to local and specialist professional guidance and support (great for networking and information sharing) and access to national events such as the Annual BDA Conference, which in 2009, offered a parallel session and presentations on a variety of topics for support workers.
Still not convinced?
Further benefits include access to a variety of courses arranged through the BDA’s Centre for Education and Development, offered at reduced rates for members, plus access to other CPD opportunities, events and activities and professional advice and support from staff at the BDA offices.
So what are you waiting for? And if after reading this, you still feel that this is not good value for money and that your views are not represented, then why not join anyway and do something about it!
Go on, apply today – you know it makes sense!!
Dorothy Hopwood: dietassist@bda.uk.com
Dietetic Support Worker Observer Member, British Dietetic Association Council.