Celebrating SAS Doctors Week 2023
09 October, 2023
The College has been celebrating the great work Specialty and Specialist (SAS) psychiatrists do as we mark NHS Employers' SAS Doctors Week.
Earlier this year the College published its first ever SAS strategy, which aims to support SAS psychiatrists to fulfil their potential and have a rewarding career.
It focuses on four key areas, which are:
- supporting education and research
- improving care
- influencing system level change
- belonging to the College.
Over the last few months we've conducted a range of interviews with people inside and outside the College, and asked them about the role of SAS psychiatrists, and what they think of our strategy, and why it is important.
Dr Lily Read, the College's SAS committee chair, has led three of the interviews, with colleagues from the SAS committee members leading the other two.
Dr Lily Read interviews Dr Derek Tracy
Dr Lily Read interviews the chair of the General Adult Faculty, Dr Jon Van Niekerk
Dr Lily Read interviews Angela Hillery, CEO of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Dr Hina Tahseen interviews the RCPsych's Presidential Lead for Race Equality, Dr Amrit Sachar
Dr Agnes Kamau interviews SAS anaesthetist Dr Rob Fleming
Dr Mike Groves, Vice Chair of the RCPsych SAS Committee, explains why SAS doctors are so important:
‘‘SAS doctors are often the glue that holds a team together,” he said. “As well as providing relational security for Service users and staff alike, our longitudinal knowledge of services means that we can be ideally placed to provide leadership and vision in these changing times.
“So let’s hold that in our minds whilst we celebrate the our roles this week and continue making a difference one conversation at a time.”
RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith said:
“We saw it as important to publish our first SAS strategy this year to mark the crucial role our SAS psychiatrists play in mental health care. Thanks to every one of you for your invaluable work.