There were just over three thousand SAS and locally employed (LE) doctors in Scotland in 2021, according to the GMC’s workforce report 2022. This workforce had grown by almost a quarter (23%) since 2017. SAS and LE doctors in Scotland have a similar profile to those in Northern Ireland: they are more likely to be female (53%) and to be UK medical graduates (61%, compared with 32% in England and 34% in Wales).
The Staff, Associate Specialist and Specialty (SAS) Doctors and Dentists Development Programme was established in Scotland in 2012. SAS doctors and dentists in Scotland have traditionally faced “a glass ceiling” in terms of access to opportunities to progress, says Dr Lynne Meekison, Associate Postgraduate Dean and Operational Lead for the SAS Programme, NHS Education for Scotland (NES), however, there has been significant progress for this group. SAS are being increasingly valued for their contributions to patient care. Scotland Deanery is offering access to training opportunities, including bespoke simulation “bootcamps” for SAS. Lynne emphasises the importance of SAS doctors being supported to develop their clinical skills, as well as developing expertise in different areas, such as teaching and leadership roles. “SAS doctors and dentists need to have confidence and be supported by their teams”, she says.
Lynne was the first Associate Postgraduate Dean for SAS doctors in Scotland, taking up her role in 2017. She works closely with 13 SAS Education Advisers – the equivalent of SAS Leads in Northern Ireland and SAS tutors in England and Wales. Ms Jane Shearer, one of our case studies, is one of the 13 SAS Education Advisers. Read Jane’s case study.
There are three aims of the programme:
1
Supporting and enabling SAS doctors and dentists to achieve their full potential. By providing access to national development funding, SAS can learn new skills or develop their current skillset to enhance their role in their clinical team. This can include bespoke secondments to learn new skills and completion of training for the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR). The programme also delivers training courses in non-clinical skills such as leadership and human factors and runs a National SAS Conference.
2
Raising the profile of SAS doctors across the 14 regional NHS Boards to ensure SAS doctors are supported by induction, information and can access mentoring. SAS Education Advisers arrange local meetings, networking opportunities and provide support.
3
Raising the profile of SAS doctors nationally by working together with colleagues in NES, GMC in Scotland and other Deaneries across the UK, as well as the Scottish Colleges.
The SAS Programme team in Scotland aims for timely, supportive induction and ongoing guidance for SAS. Noting the significant issues of bullying and harassment of this workforce, Scotland has delivered courses aiming to upskill and empower its SAS doctors and dentists, including its Workforce Bullying and Harassment Policy.
The SAS Programme in Scotland has recently surveyed its SAS group. Its SAS Wellbeing in the Workplace Survey Report recognises the importance of the wider workplace culture in which SAS doctors and dentists work and the ongoing challenges for this group. It highlights examples of positive change with the aim of driving further improvements.
Resources
Scotland Deanery
2014
For more details about the support available to SAS doctors and dentists in Scotland visit: https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/your-development/specialist-and-associate-specialist-doctors-and-dentists/
