SAS careers

Developing Relationships

This area of Launchpad is designed to support SAS doctors.

Discover the breadth of opportunities and leadership roles available during an SAS career; and explore top tips for completing the portfolio pathway. 

To celebrate SAS Week (5–10 October), we've opened access to this Launchpad resource for everyone. To explore the full range of exclusive career resources available on RCP Launchpad, join the RCP.

Redefining the path - an SAS success story on leadership and inclusion

An inspiring account of how embracing opportunities can lead to leadership, education and influence beyond clinical practice. Dr Jeenat Khan shares lessons from her SAS career journey and encourages doctors to recognise the value of their voice. 

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My SAS journey

Specialty doctor, Dr Tulika Porwal shares insights into her career thus far to demonstrate the breadth of opportunities and leadership positions available as an SAS doctor, including her roles as an RCP college tutor, PACES examiner, and clinical supervisor. 

Navigating the portfolio pathway

Hear how Dr Jaideep Kitson has progressed the portfolio pathway in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and built an applicant network to better support SAS doctors who wish to follow this route. And receive 5 top tips for your application from portfolio pathway evaluator, Dr Ryan Hobbs.

SAS forums

These digital forums have been designed to foster an open and collaborative environment to connect with SAS peers across the UK and to share your experiences. Each session aims to celebrate the SAS role and offer some professional guidance and tips. 

Free to attend - all are welcome.

Find out more
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Want to access all areas?

To celebrate SAS Week (5–10 October), we've made this Launchpad page available to everyone. 
To access the full range of exclusive career development resources on RCP Launchpad, you'll need to join the RCP.
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Explore more

Discover more SAS news stories, blogs and resources here.

Blog
19/10/26
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Clearing today’s NHS backlog must not come at the expense of tomorrow’s doctors

Drawing on ideas from his paper, From capacity to sustainability: Rethinking healthcare flow, published in the latest issue of the RCP journal Future Healthcare Journal, consultant surgeon Mr Mohamed Alkashty argues that reducing waiting lists must not come at the expense of workforce wellbeing or the time, supervision and opportunities needed to train the next generation of doctors.
Blog
19/10/26
Patients Holding Hands

Community by Design needs a workforce by design

Providing more care closer to home could transform healthcare in Wales. But, as RCP joint vice presidents for Wales Dr Ben Thomas and Professor Sam Rice argue, its success will depend on whether workforce planning, community services and hospital care can develop together.
News
19/10/26
Plaid Conference Main Stage Debate 2026

Workforce planning will be key to delivering Community by Design, says RCP Cymru Wales

RCP Cymru Wales has welcomed the Welsh government’s ambition to provide more care closer to home but warned that service redesign must be backed by continued investment in the medical workforce, digital infrastructure and hospital and specialist services.
News
16/10/26
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‘The glass ceiling is cracking’: SAS doctors share career development insights during SAS Week 2026 forum

Specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors from across the UK came together last week to discuss career development, leadership, autonomy and progression at an RCP SAS forum, held as part of SAS Week 2026.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 3

Training cannot be something that happens only when the NHS has time

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future, resident doctors Dr Alice Cole and Dr Áine Corry argue that training can no longer be treated as something that happens around service delivery. In this next generation blog, they make the case for a training system built around protected learning time, continuity, high-quality supervision and the recognition that investing in training is ultimately an investment in patient care.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 4

Why protecting medical expertise matters for patients

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future, Resident Doctor Committee (RDC) deputy chair Dr Max Thoburn argues that the future NHS depends on doctors developing both broad generalist capabilities and deep specialist expertise. In this next generation blog, he makes the case for protecting the opportunities to develop clinical judgement, procedural skills and decision-making that patients rely on when they are most in need within an ever more stretched NHS.

More resources to develop your career

RCP SAS regional representative network

The RCP SAS regional representative network has been created to ensure that SAS doctors’ needs, views and interests are represented within the RCP.

 
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SAS leadership programme

This one-year programme is designed to empower and elevate SAS doctors in healthcare leadership. 

 
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RCP guidance for SAS doctors

Read the RCP's educational and career guidance for specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors.

 
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