The RCSEd SAS/LED conference: navigating a fulfilling career 

The RCSEd SAS/LED Surgeons’ and Dentists’ Conference, held at the newly inaugurated RCSEd Regional Office in Birmingham on 16 October, showcased the crucial support provided by the College for the academic, professional and wellbeing development of SAS and LED (Specialist, Associate Specialist, Specialty and Locally Employed Doctors) surgeons. It was a great way to celebrate SAS Week.

Building on the resounding success of last year’s SAS Surgeons’ Educational Day, the RCSEd Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists and Locums Committee (SASLC) organised an even bigger event to highlight the challenges these groups of surgeons face and the opportunities available to them with College support.

Supporting development 

Over the course of the day, the speakers discussed the important issues affecting SAS and LED surgeons and dentists. These talks were followed by a series of highly popular interactive workshops to support the academic, professional and career development of these doctors.

Following a welcome and introduction by the Chair of SASLC, Majid Mukadam, the College Vice-President, Professor Tim Graham, launched The RCSEd Resources for SAS/LED Surgeons and Dentists’ Career Development. This pivotal guidance document signposts SAS/LED surgeons and dentists to the key College resources available for their career development and advancement. We hope it will be useful to clinicians keen to enhance their professional development and contribute to RCSEd’s vision to enhance patient care.

Avoiding pitfalls 

Following this, the first themed session focused on the highly popular ‘Portfolio Pathway’. We know that a large proportion of these doctors aspire to go on the Specialty Register. So it was fantastic to hear from the hugely experienced Mrs Megan Wilson, CESR and Policy Manager at the Joint Committee of Surgical Trainees, who highlighted the key requirements for the Portfolio Pathway. Ms Sarah Downey then shared her vast experience of assessing CESR applications and advised on steps to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls. This was followed by lively discussions.

The theme of the next session was matters affecting the SAS/LED workforce. Professor Partha Kar eloquently illustrated the challenges faced by SAS doctors, particularly the LED and IMG in the NHS. He referred to the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard 2021 report and the steps undertaken by organisations to empower these doctors to develop fulfilling careers. Professor Geeta Menon spoke about the how the SAS Excellence in Development (SEiD) award and LED initiatives are providing a blueprint to encourage trusts to improve their support for this important group of doctors.

Dental focus 

The next session looked at the support and empowerment of SAS/LED dentists and surgeons at the College. Professor Grant McIntyre, Dean of RCSEd Dental Faculty, detailed the various facilities the College offers SAS dentists, while Mr Sherif Elshazly, Senior SAS MaxFax Surgeon, spoke on the changing role and value of OMFS SAS Grades.
Professor Mike Griffin, RCSEd Immediate Past President, who has been pivotal in setting up the Intercollegiate Surgical Education Committee for SAS/LED, spoke about its various achievements and vision for the future. Dr Umesh Salanke, who has led by example in empowering LED doctors in the Midlands in his role as Associate Medical Director for LED Doctors at University Hospitals Birmingham, provided a template for such initiatives that can be used across the country. Mr Daniel Ochieng, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, shared his experience of setting up clinical service in the NHS as an SAS/LED Neurosurgeon.

A fulfilling career 

The afternoon comprised a series of practical, interactive workshops in which the delegates engaged enthusiastically. The first, led by Mr Rickaz Raheem and Mr Neshat Syed Anjum, was on the topic ‘Portfolio Pathway – gathering evidence and submitting it.’ The second, entitled ‘SAS by Choice – Navigating a Lifelong Fulfilling Career’, was run by Mr Majid Mukadam, Mr Lasitha B Samarakoon and Professor Tim Graham. The third workshop, on ‘Quality Improvement Plans (QIP) in Healthcare and the QIP Toolkit for the NHS’, was led by Ms Catherine Driver and Professor Karthikeyan Iyengar.

There was a great buzz during the conference and the delegates enjoyed the networking and learning opportunities provided by this annual College event.