Developing AMLA

AMLA was launched last June to meet the professional needs and aspirations of the ever-growing number of medical laboratory assistants employed throughout the NHS. Chairwoman Maureen Jenkins talks about how she views the development of AMLA.

How will the organisation be run?
That is entirely up to MLA's. AMLA was launched on 20th June and the basic structure was put in place with advice and guidance from IBMS and Amicus. The ball is now totally in our court. It is our one chance to show that we have the capabilities and the potential status to be treated as professionals. For many years we have cried out for recognition and every MLA who has an opinion, an idea or can have any input whatsoever must step forward so that we don’t miss this opportunity. We need to be united and work very hard to succeed. This will not be an easy task, but I believe we are up to the standards required if enough people become involved in developing AMLA.

There are so many things which will be happening in the NHS, Agenda for Change, Continuing Professional Development and national occupational standards to name a few, and we need to represent our interests to make sure we get a fair deal. Many of these changes may mean little to people, as they did to me until recently. But they are the new structures we will be working in and we must be in the middle of it fighting our corner! My vision is within the next 5 years to be in a position to have developed a good nucleus of active enthusiastic members (preferably younger than myself) who have the confidence and empowerment to let me sit back and watch the Association move forward. I really believe we can do it, but only together so I want to be bombarded with everyone's ideas and vision for the future.

How much is membership?
Membership of AMLA will cost £30 a year while joint AMLA-Amicus membership will cost £141 including the political levy. There are reduced rates for student, retired or low income members for joint membership.

Why should we pay this when we earn so little? Because this is the only way we can be autonomous and develop the grade professionally. I would pay four times this amount to have what we are putting in place. No one except MLA staff will gain from what we are trying to achieve. While we will be the Association for MLAs, Amicus will be responsible for pay, conditions and anything else industrial. We already have a lot in place for £30 per annum.

So why join?
AMLA is now the voice for medical laboratory assistants and we’ve never had such a voice like this before. AMLA aims to represent the interests of MLAs to the government and other organisations, help develop a career structure and support its members. We already have benefits in place with our joint membership package with Amicus - these benefits include professional advice and assistance; legal, financial and pensions advice; training and education courses and workplace representation. More will follow as AMLA develops and grows in strength.

I want every single person who comes to work in a hospital laboratory to have the facilities in place so that they can progress at a pace and to a level they feel matches their ability. In a lot of cases I hope this will be much more than they originally anticipate as they grow professionally as they learn. I believe in a better future for our young MLAs, especially where education and training are concerned.

Is AMLA the new union for MLA's?
No. AMLA as the professional body will deal with professional issues such as code of practice, raising our profile, raising standards meeting the aspirations of MLA's employed throughout the NHS. Amicus is the union which negotiates the pay and conditions for MLA's and deals with all industrial issus. AMLA will not be involved in industrial issues.

Contact me
I am always available for anyone who wishes to discuss anything or get involved in AMLA. You can call me on 0141 201 3044/3951.