London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Oct 23, 2025

British Medical Journal slated over 'disgraceful' obituary charge

British Medical Journal slated over 'disgraceful' obituary charge

Magazine urged to reverse decision to introduce £300 fee at a time when so many doctors are dying of Covid

The British Medical Journal, the respected trade publication for doctors, is facing outrage from its readers over a decision to charge almost £300 for publishing obituaries during a pandemic.

A note on the BMJ’s website says that from this month the BMJ will be charging £299 for each medical obituary that it publishes. There is a discount of only £50 for members of British Medical Association, which owns the magazine and whose members receive copies as a perk.

The decision has been branded especially insensitive at a time when so many doctors are dying of coronavirus. The BMA said it was “very concerned” about the move and planned to raise the issue with the magazine’s management.

An online petition was launched on Monday describing the introduction of a charge for the 600-word obituaries as “disgraceful” and urging the magazine to reconsider.
Advertisement

Dr Toni Hazell, a GP in Tottenham, north London, and one of the BMJ’s 80,000 readers, told the Guardian: “To start this at the moment when doctors are dying of Covid just seems unbelievably crass.”

She came across the charge as she was considering submitting an obituary for her stepfather, Dr David Anton, who died this month from prostate cancer.

Hazell said: “My stepfather was a doctor in the RAF and he was an occupational health physician for the RNLI for much of his life. He did lots of good things and it would just be quite nice to mark his life with an obituary, but that’s a lot of money. I looked up the BMJ publishing group’s revenue, and they are not short of a bob or two.”

She added: “I read the obituaries to pay respect to colleagues who have died. It will be less representative if this charge is made, and of course those who are BMA members have already paid plenty throughout their career.”

Dr Liz Thomas, an intensive care consultant from Manchester, tweeted: “I understand they’re a business, but this just seems so wrong to me.”


Trevor Pickersgill, a neurologist and BMA chief officer, tweeted in response that the news had come as a surprise to him and fellow officers, adding: “Today we are contacting the management of @bmj_latest as this was NOT a decision made by @TheBMA but by @bmj_latest alone.”

Dr John Hughes, from Manchester, predicted protest motions at the BMA’s next annual representatives meeting if BMJ did not rescind the decision. Writing on Twitter, he added: “Particularly insensitive timing, when colleagues continue to lose their lives to Covid.”

A BMA spokesman said: “We are very concerned by the idea that the BMJ would charge for obituaries. They are fully editorially independent, but we are raising our concerns about this with them directly.”

The BMJ’s note on its website said: “Please note, from 1 February 2021 we will be charging for publishing obituaries. The Price is £299, including VAT, and for BMA members £249 pounds, including VAT … By proceeding with publication, you will be agreeing to pay.

“We regret we cannot give individuals progress updates, but after publication you will receive an invoice for the fee you have agreed to pay.”

The BMJ has been approached for comment.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Porsche Reverses EV Strategy as New CEO Bets on Petrol and Hybrids
Singapore’s Prime Minister Warns of ‘Messy’ Transition to Post-American Global Order
Andreessen Horowitz Sets Sights on Ten-Billion-Dollar Fund for Tech Surge
US Administration Under President Donald Trump Reportedly Lifts Ban on Ukraine’s Use of Storm Shadow Missiles Against Russia
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
×