Royal college presidents unite to champion SAS doctors during SAS Week 2026

Mumtaz told attendees that SAS Week should be part of a year-round commitment to celebrating SAS doctors and sharing their work. She also emphasised the need for colleges to learn from one another and address gaps collectively.

A recurring theme was that SAS doctors should not be treated as a single, uniform group. Clare said success meant understanding what each clinician needed to fulfil their potential, including fair access to study leave, educational resources, grants and fellowships. ‘We couldn’t do this without you,’ she explained to attendees. ‘So really, at the beginning of this week, I want to say a huge thank you to all the doctors who are working so hard to keep our services going.’

The discussion also explored the cultural change needed within healthcare organisations. Subodh called for ‘person-centred learning’ that recognises different career journeys. ‘The most important thing,’ he said, ‘is to make sure that every SAS doctor feels that they belong.’

Attendees spoke about the importance of opening leadership, supervisory, educational and academic roles to SAS doctors. Dr Jamil Ahmad Khan, joint chair of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s SAS committee, encouraged more SAS doctors to pursue clinical lead, clinical director and senior leadership positions, supported by action locally and nationally.

The session heard that career and educational support must be built into every medical role. ‘Everybody working in the workplace, regardless of their job title, needs a personal development plan,’ said Steve. ‘They need educational supervision. They need protected time to develop.’

Participants also stressed that the SAS career is not simply a route to becoming a consultant, but a rewarding career in its own right. Eman described her own decision to return to an SAS role after working as a consultant and encouraged doctors to pursue leadership and educational opportunities within their chosen pathway.

‘The SAS pathway is a rewarding, fulfilling career alternative pathway to being a consultant,’ she said.

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