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SAS Week 2025

Friday 10 October - welcome to #SASWeek25. Here you can find all the resources for today's theme is the SAS advocate and SAS wellbeing.

10 October 2025

SAS advocate role and SAS wellbeing

We share the views on the importance of advocacy and a case study on how the role has made a positive impact for one trust. Make sure you view our SAS advocate infographic that highlights the key role and responsibilities.

Poster

Use our poster created in partnership with the BMA and NHS England that highlights the roles of the SAS advocate and SAS tutor and explaining the differences and benefits of having both in your organisation.

Case study 

"The SAS advocate role was introduced to provide a unifying link, creating opportunities for connection, shared dialogue, and a platform to raise and address common issues."

Sheffield Children's Trust transformed its culture and raised the profile of its SAS workforce with help from the SAS advocate. Read the case study

Blogs

Dr Girish Kunigiri
Headshot of Dr Imran Sharieff
Dr Girish Kunigiri, Chief Medical Officer, Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation TrustDr Imran Sharieff, SAS advocate and SAS anaesthetist, University College Hospital London NHS Foundation Trust

SAS tutor spotlight

Rosemary is an experienced SAS doctor who has built a career rooted in compassionate patient care, medical education, and inclusive leadership. Originally entering the role as an international medical graduate, she has embraced the evolving opportunities within the SAS grade—balancing clinical practice with mentoring, strategic collaboration, and advocacy for professional growth.

  • Headshot picture of Rosemary Mohammed-Ali

    "I have been an SAS doctor since 2008. Although I did not initially choose this path. A an IMG, I was unfamiliar with the grade. It was circumstances that led me here, and I have embraced the role ever since.

    "The SAS grade allows me to deliver direct clinical care, which remains a core passion. It also enables me to teach and supervise junior doctors. The role has evolved significantly; SAS doctors are no longer limited to service provision but are now encouraged to engage in leadership and management responsibilities.

    "This career path offers an excellent work-life balance, providing stability and continuity that fosters strong patient relationships and long-term care.

    "Serving as an SAS tutor has been particularly rewarding. It has allowed me to support colleagues in their professional development and build valuable networks across different trusts.

    "Throughout my career, I have developed and demonstrated strong leadership capabilities. As an SAS tutor, I have led initiatives to enhance professional development and foster a supportive learning environment. I have contributed to strategic discussions, collaborated across departments, and mentored peers to help them navigate their own career paths. My leadership style is inclusive and focused on empowering others, ensuring that goals are met while maintaining high standards of patient care."

SAS advocate spotlight

Kehinde Onipede is a SAS advocate who provides support for SAS doctors, amplifying their voices at trust level, and promoting career opportunities. Backed by LPFT’s inclusive and collaborative culture, Kehinde contributes to leadership discussions and ensures SAS doctors are recognised for their vital contributions to patient care and organisational growth.

  • Headshot of Kehinde Onipede

    "In my capacity as a SAS advocate within my trust, I have had the privilege of representing the interests and professional development needs of SAS doctors across the organisation. The role encompasses offering support and guidance to colleagues, ensuring that their voices are heard at Trust level, and contributing to initiatives that enhance both professional growth and staff wellbeing. 

    "LPFT has been consistently supportive of this role, recognising the importance of strengthening the visibility and contribution of SAS doctors. The trust has provided the necessary time and resources to carry out advocacy responsibilities effectively, as well as opportunities for engagement in leadership discussions and organisational development. 

    "The culture within LPFT is one that values inclusivity, collaboration, and professional recognition. Through its encouragement, I have been able to promote career development opportunities for SAS colleagues, highlight their essential contributions to patient care, and ensure their perspectives are represented in decision-making processes. 

    The trust’s commitment to the SAS workforce demonstrates a forward-looking approach, ensuring equity of opportunity and recognition for all medical colleagues. I am grateful for the strong support that LPFT has provided, which has enabled me to fulfil the responsibilities of the SAS Advocate role with confidence and effectiveness."

SAS advocate guidance

Access our joint SAS advocate guidance with the BMA that explains the role’s purpose, suggested actions and activities for the role and the competencies required.

Resource spotlight from the Association of Anaesthetists

SAS handbook

The Association of Anaesthetists has updated its SAS handbook, offering clear, actionable guidance to help employers support and develop their SAS workforce and support SAS doctors in their careers.  

Listen to Dr Emma Wain, Chair of the SAS Committee, Association of Anaesthetists' call to action.

Participate in the conversation online:

Follow us on X and LinkedIn.

If you would like to feature in SAS week, please email the medical workforce team. 

  • SAS as a career choice

    Welcome to SAS Week 2025

    On Monday we celebrated SAS as a dynamic and rewarding career path, alongside the values and vision set out in the SAS Charter. Explore our range of resources from our valued stakeholders that recognise and support the vital contributions of SAS doctors and dentists.

    Derek Thomas, deputy chair of the SAS joint negotiating committee shares his reflections on the value of the SAS grade and outlines our aims for SAS Week.

    How the SAS Six improves the working lives of SAS doctors

    Dr Anushka Aubeelack, a member of the SAS Collective talks about the SAS Six pledges and why medical staffing teams should encourage their organisation to get on board.

    "My advice to those working in medical human resources in the trust, is ask their trust to pledge to the SAS six, it provides a really useful framework for the trusts to improve the working lives of their SAS doctors."

    Blog

    "My journey was filled with challenges, detours and moments of doubt – but also resilience, growth and triumph."

    Read Dr Patricia Nelson’s blog describing her journey to becoming a SAS doctor.

    Differences between roles

    This infographic breaks down the key differences between the roles of specialty doctor, specialist and consultant, clarifying experience and responsibilities. Access more information on the web page.

    SAS charter

    The SAS charter includes practical resources to support both employers and SAS doctors in developing action plans for effective implementation. 

    An updated version of the charter featuring the specialist grade will be published in the future. 

    SAS transfer guidance

    Our guidance sets out the steps that employers and SAS doctors and dentists should follow when transferring to the 2021 contracts.

    Resources from the BMA

    Read BMA's guide, Who are SAS doctors?, to gain a broad understanding of the role they play which includes examples and comments from SAS doctors about their career.

    Watch the SAS charter animation.

    Resources from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC)

    Patient resource: learn more about the vital role of SAS doctors and dentists from the AoMRC's informative resource for patients that highlights who SAS doctors and dentists are and what they do.  

    We must support SAS doctors: the AoMRC calls for support for the development and recognition of SAS careers in its publication, SAS, a viable career choice.

    Resources from the Royal College of Physicians 

    Free for all to access* - RCP launchpad resource hub: the RCP launchpad is an online resource hub with career support and resources for SAS doctors, senior registrars and new consultants. 

    *Usually exclusive to RCP fellows and members, they are making this resource free for all, for a limited time only. 

    Resources from the Royal College of Surgeons England 

    Case studies: read the Royal College of Surgeons case studies, highlighting the stories of selected SAS surgeons. 

  • Specialist grade

    Today we celebrate the role of specialists within the SAS workforce. Specialist are highly skilled professionals bridging the gap between specialty doctors and consultants, specialists bring expertise, leadership and continuity to patient care.

    Meet the SAS workforce at Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trusts

    At the heart of our hospitals, SAS doctors play a vital role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care every day. 

    This video shows the expertise, dedication and contributions made by the SAS workforce.

    Watch the video

    Specialist grade infographic 

    Our infographic details the specialist job role and responsibilities.

    Specialist hub 

    We have created a hub to help educate, promote and normalise the specialist grade. 

    The history of the specialist grade

    Read why the specialist grade was created and access the supporting resources. 

    The establishment and introduction of the specialist role in England 

    Our joint guidance provides employers with examples of how the specialist role can be embedded in its workforce. 

    Access our resources to support you with the recruitment of specialist grade doctors. This includes, a capabilities framework, person specification, the contract and appointment guidance. 

    "All specialty doctors who meet the specifications should have the opportunity to become specialists."

    - Dr Anushka Aubeelack, Specialist Anaesthetist, Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trusts, member of the SAS Six. Watch again Dr Aubeelack's video we posted on Monday to learn more.

    Resources from the Royal College of Radiology 

    Blog: Dr Mayada Haydar has written a blog for the RCR describing her journey to becoming a specialist. 

  • SAS in extended roles/SAS development

    This theme highlights the vital contributions of SAS doctors in extended roles, with a particular emphasis on their professional development. 

    SAS doctor development guide - update and a new look

    Updated guidance: High-quality patient care starts with well-supported doctors. This updated guidance developed by NHS Employers, the British Medical Association, NHS England Workforce Training and Education and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges outlines best practices for developing SAS doctors across the NHS. 

    Read the full guidance

    Case study 

    Accurate coding and autonomous working 

    Read how Stockport NHS Trust developed a process for accurate coding leading to autonomous working for its SAS workforce.

    SAS induction checklist

    Our downloadable checklist supports employers in providing SAS doctors with a good induction to allow a smooth transition into their new role. 

    NHS England SAS excellence in development award 

    NHS England Workforce Training and Education has created a recognition award for employers, aligned to supporting the SAS workforce. Find out more, including how you can apply

    Resources from the BMA

    The BMA provide guidance on autonomous working for SAS doctors. It can also be used as a tool for SAS doctors when seeking recognition of their ability to work independently. 

    Resources from AoMRC

    The Academy highlights the benefits and reasons that SAS doctors SAS doctors make good educators and should have an instrumental role in delivering education, teaching and training. 

    The Academy has published information about the importance and benefits of SAS doctors being offer the opportunity to as a mentor or mentee for personal and professional development. 

    Resources from the Royal College of Physicians 

    Access educational and career support guidance for SAS doctors and their employers. 

    Resources from the Royal College of Surgeons of England 

    Access the Royal College of Surgeons develop and learn hub offering practical guidance, case studies and resources to help employers support SAS doctors.

    Resources from the Royal College of Radiologists

    The Royal College of Radiologists are hosting a webinar on 9 October talking about SAS careers, it’s free to attend and open to all. Find out more.

  • Equalities and the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard (MWRES)

    This theme focuses on equality within the SAS workforce. 

    Medical Workforce Race Equality Standards

    Five years on from the original report, an independent and unfunded report revisits the original 11 indicators to assess progress and identify areas needing attention. Read summary of key findings from the report that includes some actions employers can take. 

    Anti-racism in the NHS resource hub

    Access our anti-racism hub hub that has been developed to help NHS organisations to tackle racism and ensure that staff feel supported by employers.

    To help combat a rise in reports from NHS organisations of abuse and harassment aimed at staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, this hub collates key resources to help employers tackle racism at a local level and ensure staff feel protected and supported in the workplace.

    Black History Month

    October is Black History Month. Learn more about the activities taking place and what action you can take to improve race equality. 

    NHS Confederation networks

    NHS Confederation has three leadership networks that SAS doctors and anyone is a leadership role can join. These networks empower members to address healthcare and workforce inequalities and provide opportunities to connect, share, and grow.

    • BME Leadership Network

    • Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leadership Network

    • Women Leaders Network

    Find out more and how you can join

    Resources from the Royal College of Surgeons 

    The Royal College of Surgeons in England have a web page dedicated to equality, diversity and inclusion for the SAS workforce.