SAS Celebration Week 2026: Specialist Grade (Dr Wai Nip)

For this year's SAS Celebration Week, Dr Wai Nip explores beyond 'non-training' – his journey to the Specialist Grade and the power of the SAS voice.

When I first moved to the United Kingdom, transitioning from the bustling of Hong Kong to the bracing [though occasionally sunny] climate of Scotland, I knew I was embarking on a profound professional and personal shift. Having already completed my medical education and specialist psychiatric training overseas, I entered the NHS as an International Medical Graduate. Like many of my international colleagues, I quickly encountered a healthcare system that possessed incredible strengths but also relied on terminology that often felt at odds with my experience – most notably, the widespread label of a 'non-training doctor'.

For a long time, the language surrounding the SAS workforce has been defined by a negative: by what we are purportedly not doing. Yet, as I settled into my clinical practice within NHS Grampian, the reality of my daily work told an entirely different story. We are not 'non-training'; we are senior, experienced clinicians who frequently serve as the permanent backbone holding our clinical services together. In general adult psychiatry, the clinical presentations we see are highly complex, demanding nuanced problem-solving, advanced risk management, and long-term continuity of care.

The skills I honed during my overseas specialist training are utilized every single day. SAS doctors are leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing acute crises, and driving local service improvements. The 'non-training' label simply did not match the leadership and competency I saw around me, nor the work I was doing myself.

Becoming a Specialist Psychiatrist was a pivotal milestone in my career. It was not merely a simple change in job title; it was the formal, institutional recognition of the senior clinical leadership and professional autonomy I had been exercising for years.

Crucially, it provided a platform that empowered me to expand my impact beyond direct patient care. The specialist grade actively facilitated my integration into formal medical education structures. I serve as an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and as a GMC-recognised trainer providing direct support and mentorship to medical students and resident doctors. It is incredibly fulfilling to guide the next generation of doctors and psychiatrists, proving unequivocally that SAS doctors are not just service providers, but essential educators and mentors.

Furthermore, this formal recognition has opened doors to national advocacy. As the General Adult Faculty Representative on the SAS Committee, I am deeply committed to ensuring that the diverse perspectives of SAS doctors are championed at the highest levels of College strategy. We are advocating fiercely to ensure that the specialist pathway becomes a transparent, accessible route for all experienced SAS psychiatrists. We must permanently retire outdated terminology and ensure our grades have equitable access to leadership roles, supported by consistent trust-level funding and protected time for SPAs.

As we mark SAS Celebration Week, my message to any SAS psychiatrist looking at their career trajectory is to firmly back yourself. It is essential to validate the incredible work you are already doing. The specialist grade is a clear, undeniable statement that we are senior leaders, dedicated educators, and an indispensable pillar of the NHS workforce. Do not let outdated labels define your potential; your leadership and competency are exactly what our services need.

Dr Wai Nip
General Adult Faculty Representative on the SAS Committee