Dear Editor,
Matthew Limb describes the growing disatisfaction of NHS consultants, junior doctors and GPs . However he has failed to include, argueably, the most disenfranchised part of the medical workforce: that of SAS doctors (Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists and Specialists) and Locally Employed Doctors. According to the GMC workforce report 2022, should trends continue, SAS and LEDs together will become the largest register group in the medical workforce. It is therefore dispointing to see them excluded from this discussion. SAS doctors have a similar age profile to the consultant workforce and many are equally taking early retirement, are disheartened by pay erosion or simply succumbing to burnout in a overstretched NHS. Many trusts rely heavily on these doctors to provide frontline services. SAS doctors have recently been consulted by the BMA on pay and their attitudes to potential industrial action. Any such action would be highly disruptive and all of this is worth reporting. Our exclusion continues to undermine us.
Yours,
Imran Sharieff
Specialty Doctor in Anaesthesia
LNC Chair. Association of Anaesthetists SAS committee member.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Re: Industrial action: What’s the current state of play for consultants, junior doctors, and GPs?