SAS
development funding
June 2008
Further to the correspondence between SASC and the Minister regarding the funding allocated for SAS development, (which you can see here) SASC has created a list of suggested uses for the funding (below). We urge SHAs to release the funding to Deaneries and we hope to work with Deans and Trusts to make the best use of this funding. SASC are also carrying out a survey of SAS doctors to assist us in better representing their needs. Results of the survey will be used to amend and add to the suggestions and will also be fed back to COPMeD. Please email the SASC Secretariat with any comments on the funding suggestions or if you are having any difficulties accessing the funding.
Suggestions for SAS development funding use (2008/09) from the BMA Staff and Associate Specialist Committee:
- Additional resources and infrastructures should be provided to meet CPD, CME and training needs
- We believe that procedures should be put in place for SAS doctors to access advice and guidance from deaneries and the medical royal colleges on issues relating to training and development. The appointment of an Associate Dean for each region (appointed from the SAS grades) would be a means to this and provide a visible benefit to SAS grades. Improved representation of SAS Doctors at Regional and National levels of Educational Planning could also be achieved through this appointment and the dean could be an advocate for revalidation through the re-licensure and recertification processes and a coordination/communication link with Trust SAS Tutors and between SAS Doctors in Acute and Community/Primary Care Trusts as well as offering specific assistance for article 14 applicants.
- The funding could be used by employers to backfill posts when SAS doctors are seconded for training purposes. This would make employers less reluctant to allow secondment opportunities and encourage additional or top-up training opportunities to be put in place and made available to SAS doctors to meet PMETB assessment requirements while remaining in post.
- A clinical tutor/ educational supervisor could be appointed specifically to assist SAS doctors
- Additional courses for SAS doctors could be funded eg management skills workshops
- Introduce a Record of Independent Assesment similar to the SpR type RITA for those that request it to certify SAS doctors to work autonomously within agreed boundaries for use as part of portfolios