Last year, for doctors stressed or under pressure, Dr R Stevens wrote  The Vital Signs for the RMBF. For >180 years, it has been Britain’s leading charity for GMC-registered doctors resident in UK, and their UK dependants. At times of crisis or serious need, the RMBF leads the way in support and advice; the only UK charity for doctors, medical students and their families. 

RMBF steps in when, through illness or disability, there is a financial crisis, or risk of it. UK doctors, most of the time, can count on finding employment, and a comfortable lifestyle to mitigate the hours away from home. Though the job can be socially isolating, and might often threaten family life, dependants can at least expect above-average financial security. But when upsets happen, unpredictable and undeserved, the hardships are also of a special kind; not readily rescued by the state, not always to be understood despite the kindness of strangers. Colleagues have no option but to look out for each other, and their families, as in the Hippocratic oath.

When most needed (through age, ill health, disability or bereavement) RMBF is to be counted on for funds, money advice and information. Typical beneficiaries range from young children to those age >90 y. Help is packaged to emphasise dignity and quality of life. For doctors and their families, throughout their career and in retirement, what is available ranges from money grants or loans to phone befriending the isolated and those needing support.

Misfortune happens. The need for each person differs. Each applicant's circumstances are assessed by a Case Committee. Decisions are made quickly, and in confidence, tailoring a package of support. Most of the team on the RMBF Board, and its volunteers, are from a medical background. This gives insight on the unique pressures facing doctors day to day. Coming from all areas in the medical profession, the volunteers ensure RMBF delivers effectively. 

RMBF depends entirely on voluntary donation. It is from fellow doctors and their families that the needs of doctors and their families are to be met. Were this help not open-handed, RMBF could not continue.

In recent years the fund has seen changes in who benefits, from the traditional, such as doctors’ widows, to today’s recently qualified young doctors struggling with mental or physical illness, debt, or drug addiction. RMBF can organise grants, loans, travel allowances, payment of subscriptions (such as to the GMC), childcare costs, specialist equipment, and home adaptations for people with disabilities etc. RMBF also provides a befriending service, can commission counselling, and money advice, signposting to other support agencies. Read Dr A.Hibbert: http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20007004

Your donation could help a family rebuild their lives after a loved one’s accident. It could help a doctor re-train after a long gap for cancer treatment. Or it could help a talented young medical student facing hardship to get through their final year and pass their exams.

RMBF has >250 volunteers around the country. Prof P.Kumar (Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine), is RMBF's current president. Patron is HM The Queen.

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