About Dr Sarah Court
Sarah is an Associate Specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at NHS Lothian. She is the RCOG SAS and LED Committee Co Vice-Chair and Representative for Scotland, as well as an Educational Supervisor, Chair of the NHS Lothian Obstetric Guidelines Group, and local obstetric quality improvement (QI) lead.
Choosing a SAS career
I have been a SAS doctor in O&G since 2001, originally as a staff grade then from 2004 an Associate Specialist. Having initially trained in General Practice (GP) I found that I had enjoyed my O&G training immensely and looked at extending my experience in this specialty after completing the MRCGP. It then became a permanent specialty change. I find that my experience in GP helps me to provide a holistic approach to women’s healthcare.
I was offered a post in one of the training hospitals and my interest in clinical governance was supported and mentored by a great team of consultants who encouraged me to become a permanent member of staff and supported the SAS role. This coincided with a wish to remain in Lothian and achieve a better work life balance.
Governance and quality improvement
I have been supported over the years, initially developing local hospital guidance and incident reporting systems. Then, as risk management became more nationally important, my roles became extended to trust-wide. As the local obstetric quality improvement (QI) lead, I am part of the extended multidisciplinary team aiming to ensure delivery of effective and efficient programmes to drive continuous improvements in healthcare service delivery.
Supporting doctors in training
Over the last 20 years, I have formally supported and guided resident doctors and SAS doctors in my role as an educational supervisor. As the SAS representative on the RCOG Education Board, I contributed to the development of the Educational Supervisors’ Toolkit, which includes guidance on being an educational supervisor for doctors outside a formal training programme.
Building long-term collaboration
I have enjoyed the long-term working relationships I have developed with the multidisciplinary team, having been based in the same hospital for many years and worked at all levels of experience. It has made setting up governance and training initiatives so much easier and I am supported by a fantastic ‘work family’.
Growing the SAS workforce
We now have an additional five specialty doctors in our team, all of whom have pursued a SAS role as a positive, long-term career choice. I think this reflects the recognition of the benefits of SAS doctors and what our experience brings to the service.
I am also a member of the SAS and LED Committee as the Co Vice-Chair, representing SAS and LEDs nationally at the RCOG.