ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº

The new priorities reaffirm the ÄÛ²ÝӰԺ’s commitment to ensuring that all doctors – regardless of career stage, contract status or specialty – have access to development opportunities, leadership roles and professional recognition.

SAS and locally employed doctors are an increasingly vital part of the NHS workforce. However, despite their growing numbers, they currently make up just 4% of UK subscribing ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº members. The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº says that more must be done to support this group and ensure that their skills and expertise are fully recognised and utilised.

Developed in consultation with the ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº SAS regional network, the ÄÛ²ÝӰԺ’s SAS priorities for 2026–30 focus on five key areas:

• Recognition and respect: The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº will showcase the invaluable contribution of SAS doctors to the NHS and promote consistent, positive messaging that reflects their expertise.
• Career development and medical education: The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº will campaign for equitable access to professional development, including study leave, educational supervision, protected training time and leadership opportunities.
• Culture, wellbeing and community: The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº will work to foster inclusive, supportive workplace cultures and highlight best practice in supporting SAS doctors, including those joining the NHS from overseas.
• A stronger collective voice: The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº will strengthen the voice of SAS doctors in medicine and across the health system and continue to support initiatives such as the #SASSix campaign.
• Reform of postgraduate medical training: The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº will play a leading role in the conversation on the future of medical training, including career pathways outside formal training programmes and promoting flexible, non-traditional routes.

The new priorities build on the ÄÛ²ÝӰԺ’s previous SAS strategy (2022–24) and its guidance on educational and career support for SAS doctors. The ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº urges NHS trusts and health boards to implement this guidance in full.