The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is pleased to join many other organisations in supporting the SAS Collective’s #SASsix campaign which sets out six principles to support the Specialty, Associate Specialist and Specialist (SAS) workforce.
The College is committed to supporting the obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) workforce and recognises the valuable contributions that SAS and Locally Employed (LE) doctors bring to our specialty.
The #SASsix principles are:
- All SAS doctors should have equity of access to professional development opportunities relevant to their stage of career.
- All Specialty Doctors who meet the required capabilities should have the opportunity to become Specialists.
- Every early career SAS doctor should have access to an educational supervisor.
- Senior SAS doctors should be offered the opportunity to be educators at every level on a par with consultants e.g. educational supervisors, clinical supervisors, directors of medical education.
- All extended roles in leadership and management should be open to all substantive medical staff i.e. consultants AND appropriately experienced SAS doctors.
- All locally employed doctors employed for more than two years within one trust should be offered the opportunity to transfer to the appropriate SAS contract.
The SAS Collective is a group of committed SAS doctors. They are working to improve the careers and retention of doctors in the UK through the #SASsix principles. The principles aim to help improve the working lives of SAS doctors across all specialties, calling for action of key recommendations set out in previous national publications.
These six principles of this campaign align with RCOG work to support the inclusion of SAS and LE doctors and raise awareness of these roles.
Dr Eman Toeima, RCOG National SAS and LED Lead/Chair, said: “Our SAS and LED Committee serves as a vital voice for SAS and LEDs across the RCOG, offering guidance on issues that affect these diverse groups of doctors. We are deeply committed to ensuring that the work of the RCOG is inclusive of the whole O&G workforce. I’m delighted that the RCOG is backing this campaign—the six principles strongly resonate with our ongoing efforts to champion inclusion and elevate the visibility of SAS and LED roles.”
The College encourages SAS and locally employed doctors to visit the SAS and LED webpages for information on how to engage with the RCOG as a SAS or LED, and resources designed to support SAS and LEDs throughout career development.
- Find out more about the RCOG SAS & LED Committee members