The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF) provides support for doctors throughout their medical career, from financial assistance in the form of grants and loans to a phone befriending scheme for those who may feel isolated.

The MDU’s partnership with the RMBF began in 2021, when the MDU reduced its first-year subscription from £10 to £5 for FY1 members who donated the remaining £5 to the charity.

Thanks to MDU members, the RMBF has been able to increase its support to medical students by a third and have also been able to increase the maximum value of their grants during 2023. Many of the medical students supported by the RMBF are, sadly, still feeling the impact of COVID-19 and have experienced financial hardship, illness or bereavement due to the pandemic.

One medical student supported by the RMBF said:

"I’m currently in my last year of GP training. I’m also a single mum to a son who has serious disabilities, which makes life a bit harder at times.

"I was really struggling financially and had taken on credit card debt, and I was going to have to stop my training because I couldn’t afford the exams. It seemed like such an absurd situation. I wondered if there might be help available for me as a doctor, so I searched online – that’s how I found out about the RMBF.

"I applied for support, and now I have a grant in place which will mean I can sit my exams later this year, finish my training, and go on to work as a GP.

"To other doctors who are struggling, I would say: don’t assume that there’s no help available. It’s well worth reaching out for support as soon as you can."

Dr Caroline Fryar, the MDU’s director of medical services, said:

"I’m thrilled by the continued success of the partnership between the MDU and the RMBF and that our foundation year one members have, once again, raised such a significant amount of money.

"Unfortunately, this money is needed now more than ever before, as increasing numbers of medical students face greater financial and psychological pressures. At the MDU, we are always looking for ways to support our members and are proud to partner with organisations who also guide and support medical professionals."

Steven Crone, chief executive of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, commented:

"We are very grateful that the MDU and their foundation members continue to support us. The funds they raise enable us to provide financial support and assistance to even more medical students and their families during extraordinarily difficult times for the profession."

Learn more about the MDU’s charity scheme with the RMBF.

MDU initiative sees foundation doctor members raise over £35,000 for the RMBF

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