Search the website

SAS contract negotiations background documents

These documents are important in understanding the background to the staff and associate specialists contract negotiations -

SAS contract vote result, 17 March 2008
Three weeks of voting on the new SAS contract came to an end on Friday 14 March. 60% have voted in favour of the deal.

Staff and Associate Specialist contract update and podcast, 8 February 2008
Contract update and the SASC chairman answers questions about the Government's contract proposals and the ballot of SAS doctors and dentists in a webcast and podcast.

Doctors express their anger over government stalling tactics on new contract- press release, 1 December 2007
The meeting of staff grade and associate specialist (SAS) doctors on 1 December showed the great depth of anger and frustration felt by SAS doctors who are being denied the opportunity to vote on a new contract.

SASC contract petition goes to Number 10, 3 July 2007
BMA leaders today delivered a petition - signed by nearly 4500 doctors - calling on the new Prime Minister to approve proposals for a new contract for SAS doctors.

Doctors set deadline for contract to be approved, press release 27 June 2007
The BMA has set the Government a deadline to approve the new contract for staff and associate specialist doctors.

Contract negotiations update, 2 April 2007
The British Medical Association has written to Health Minister Lord Hunt to express its “growing frustration” about the continued delays in endorsing a new contract for over 12,000 Staff and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors.

A summary of the proposed SAS contract package, July 2006
A summary of the proposed package for SAS doctors which was rejected by SASC UK on 19 July 2006.

SASC's decision - FAQs, July 2006
Questions and answers on SASC's decision of 19 July 2006 not to take the SAS contract proposals to a wider vote of SAS doctors.

BMA response to the Department of Health's consultation document Choice and opportunity, November 2003
In its response the BMA welcomed the Department of Health’s Choice and Opportunity consultation document with its recognition of the problems currently faced by the staff and associate specialist group of doctors and dentists, and its many positive recommendations to resolve these problems.

NHS Employers scoping review on staff and associate specialist doctors, updated March 2006
A paper produced by the NHS Employers Organisation on the pay and terms and conditions of service for staff and associate specialist doctors.

Staff and associate specialist group of doctors
A briefing paper from the BMA Parliamentary Unit, and published in February 2007, with information about the staff and associate specialists group of doctors in the NHS.