14/09/2011
Time Of Opportunity For SAS Doctors
This week saw the first conference of Staff, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in Northern Ireland.
There are almost 400 SAS doctors in Northern Ireland, and this little-known grade is set to expand in the future.
British Medical Association (NI) Chairman Dr Paul Darragh, himself an SAS doctor in general medicine at Antrim Area Hospital said: "It is essential that we all recognise the valuable contribution SAS doctors make to the functioning of our health service in Northern Ireland, and recognise their potential for an even greater contribution."
He added: "SAS doctors are senior doctors working in a range of specialist areas, developing and innovating patient care on a daily basis. Not only do they work in hospitals, they play a major role in community paediatrics and family planning.
"We must ensure that becoming a SAS doctor is an attractive career option, with the possibility to develop and acquire skills within the grade which will not only lead to a greater sense of job satisfaction and fulfilment and better staff retention, but also improve contribution to patient care."
Dr Darragh added : "We need to work to ensure that the expansion this grade of doctors does not lead to exploitation - they are not a 'cheap option' to plug gaps in the health service. This can only be to the advantage of patients the wider health service and of course the individual doctor."
(BMcN/CD)
British Medical Association (NI) Chairman Dr Paul Darragh, himself an SAS doctor in general medicine at Antrim Area Hospital said: "It is essential that we all recognise the valuable contribution SAS doctors make to the functioning of our health service in Northern Ireland, and recognise their potential for an even greater contribution."
He added: "SAS doctors are senior doctors working in a range of specialist areas, developing and innovating patient care on a daily basis. Not only do they work in hospitals, they play a major role in community paediatrics and family planning.
"We must ensure that becoming a SAS doctor is an attractive career option, with the possibility to develop and acquire skills within the grade which will not only lead to a greater sense of job satisfaction and fulfilment and better staff retention, but also improve contribution to patient care."
Dr Darragh added : "We need to work to ensure that the expansion this grade of doctors does not lead to exploitation - they are not a 'cheap option' to plug gaps in the health service. This can only be to the advantage of patients the wider health service and of course the individual doctor."
(BMcN/CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.