Improving career prospects for staff & associate specialists
A response to the 'Choice and Opportunity' consultation
Press release 6 November 2003
Responding to the government document 'Choice and Opportunity' at the Staff and Associate Specialist (SAS) conference* today, Dr Greg Dilliway Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s SAS committee said:
"The proposals in the Department of Health consultation document 'Choice and Opportunity' are long overdue, but nevertheless represent a sound platform for negotiating a new contract for the 12,500 staff and associate specialist (SAS) doctors working in the NHS, who have until now been overlooked by the government.
"The BMA believes that all doctors working in SAS grades should be able to fulfil their potential, by giving them recognition for the work they do and opportunities for career progression."
In the BMA's response to 'Choice and Opportunity' the association proposed that:
- all SAS doctors should have opportunities for career progression
- a fair system of competency based assessment should be used to determine the eligibility of SAS doctors for inclusion in the specialist register
- access to specialist training via open competition and inclusion in the specialist register (needed to apply for consultant posts) should be made available to all those who satisfy the requirement of the postgraduate medical education and training board (PMETB) in respect of training, qualifications and experience
- any changes to contractual arrangements must have the agreement of SAS doctors
- any new contract should apply to SAS doctors in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
Notes to editors
Staff and Associate Specialist doctors have key service roles in hospital and community specialties. They do not have consultant status, and are not in posts accredited for training.
*Dr Greg Dilliway was speaking at the BMA's Third National Conference of Staff and Associate Specialists doctors, held in York.
The consultation document 'Choice and Opportunity' was issued by the Department of Health in July 2003.
Click here to access the BMA response to 'Choice and Opportunity'.