SAS Week 2024
Thanks for joining in with #SASWeek24
14-18 October 2024
SAS Week is delivered in partnership with the British Medical Association (BMA).
It’s not too late to take part in #SASWeek24, share your experience of how invaluable SAS doctors are.
We hope that you have found the content from this week interesting and can use it as a platform to make a difference to the working lives of SAS doctors and to make improvements to your medical workforce.
Resources from the week
-
Today we highlight SAS in extended roles and SAS development with a focus on SAS doctors in leadership roles and a webinar with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges talking about strengthening the SAS workforce.
Today is also about sharing how SAS doctors are ideal candidates in providing education, teaching and training. Read thoughts from some SAS doctors on what it is like being a SAS doctor, how valuable leadership roles are to their development and experience and how this benefits their employers.
SAS in leadership roles
Read about the invaluable experience SAS doctors bring to an organisation and the variety of leadership roles they undertake.
Katherine Finucane, Associate Specialist, Dermatology, North Bristol NHS Trust.
Leadership roles: SAS tutor, director of medical education, associate dean for SAS doctors at HEE, chair of the skin cancer specialist MDT, education lead for dermatology
"Doctors move into SAS roles for many reasons. A move from formal training for CCT does not mean that these doctors are not capable of contributing to all levels of leadership. SAS doctors tend to stay at trusts for many years and understand the workings of the organisation. This enables us to take on any leadership role to improve our working lives, those of colleagues and of other doctors coming up behind us.
"I initially trained as a GP but moved into dermatology and developed my expertise while working as a staff grade before becoming an associate specialist in dermatology.
"In 2009, I was appointed as a SAS tutor for North Bristol Trust (NBT) which started my career in medical education. I was a foundation tutor then I was appointed as director of medical education in 2016. This role increased my visibility across the trust as I looked after all the trainees at NBT, and I hope I helped to improve the visibility of all SAS doctors.
"When the five-year term ended, I applied for a role at Health Education England (HEE), and became the associate dean for SAS doctors. During my time there , I was chair of the skin cancer specialist MDT and I am now education lead for dermatology at NBT.
"Undertaking these roles has helped my trust realise that SAS doctors are a great resource, with varied expertise and experience and so SAS doctors can apply for all leadership posts."
Dr Zoe Claire Robertson, Specialty Doctor, Anaesthetics, Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Leadership roles: SAS tutor, SAS Committee Royal College of Anaesthetists and Medical Staffing Committee
"Since 2021, I have been a specialty doctor in anaesthetics at Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust.
"Before this role, I completed the first stage of anaesthetic formal training within the north-east region and then was an anaesthetic teaching fellow for the Newcastle medical students at Northumbria.
"I am also the SAS tutor for the trust. This leadership role mainly involves organising professional development and educational events, throughout the year, for the 65 plus SAS doctors and dentists within Northumbria Trust. Every trust has a SAS tutor along with SAS local negotiating committee representatives and the new role of SAS advocate. These three leadership roles work in collaboration to allow SAS doctors and dentists to have support, advice, career development and progression within the trust. I also am on the SAS committee of anaesthetists at the Royal College of Anaesthesia.
"Being a SAS anaesthetist allows me to progress clinically within anaesthetics along with pursuing my interests in postgraduate education and wellbeing."
Mr Anjan Banerjee, Specialist Doctor, Northampton General Hospital
Leadership roles: Clinical Lead, Springfield Urgent Treatment Centre
"Being a SAS doctor in a leadership position is really interesting and it means that I am more aware of the issues that affect the day-to-day activity of the ‘shop floor’.
"As I work closely with senior management I can communicate issues to them, and as a doctor I can better advocate for the department and teams by being able to provide a perspective on how these issues affect the efficiency of the department.
"Being in a leadership role also allows me to have more control and a level of autonomy so I can affect how things work around me. Being able to shape the future of the department is the greatest responsibility and something I relish, and something that is not given to other grades such as ST3-7. I am a permanent member of staff so I feel like a part of the team who can then affect how things work around me. For example, I am able to establish strong working relationships in which my colleagues know my strengths and areas of interest. Colleagues feel comfortable in bringing issues to me which optimises patient care.
"Another benefit of this for me it that when I’m in theatre, my colleagues know my preferred methods and techniques and what implants I prefer to use. So, this means I’m doing things the way I’m comfortable with rather than having to follow whichever consultant you are working with."
SAS development guidance
- Download the SAS development guidance to support the development of SAS doctors.
- Our updated and downloadable SAS induction checklist, supports employers in providing SAS doctors with a good induction to allow a smooth transition into their new role.
Blogs and guidance from the BMA
- Dr (Prof) Madapura Shashidhara talks about his journey through the SAS grades in this blog, Embracing the journey: my leadership in extended SAS roles.
- Dr Tatiana Tonu’s share her experience in becoming a lead of service at East Cheshire NHS trust, Becoming a leader at your workplace.
- The guidance, autonomy of SAS grade, published by the BMA, clarifies the arrangements on autonomous working for employers. It can also be used as a tool for SAS doctors, when seeking recognition of their ability to work independently.
Resources from AoRMC
- The AoMRC has published information (PDF) about the importance and benefits of SAS doctors being offer the opportunity to as a mentor or mentee for personal and professional development.
- Read this article from AoMRC (PDF) that highlights the benefits and reasons that SAS doctors make good educators and should have an instrumental role in delivering education teaching and training.
Resources from Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons
- The Royal College of Physicians provides educational and career support guidance for SAS doctors and their employers.
- Access the Royal College of Surgeons' develop and learn hub and learn more about SAS doctor potential.
SAS tutor vs SAS advocate
Roles and responsibilities
We have produced a new poster in partnership with the BMA and NHS England highlighting the roles of the SAS advocate and SAS tutor and explaining the differences and benefits of having both in your organisation.
Comms pack
Use these resources through the week for your local campaign which includes an email banner, social media assets with each day's theme and some new resources for this year.
