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Staff and Associate Specialists Annual Report 2007-08

June 2008

Co-Chair's message
It is our utmost pleasure to write a joint introduction to welcome you to the sixth annual report of the BMA Staff and Associate Specialist Committee (SASC).

In September SASC had a change in leadership and we were pleased to welcome Awani Choudhary as co-Chairman, joining Mohib Khan.

This has again been a very busy year with plenty of new challenges for the BMA and SASC to face. Gordon Brown became the new Prime Minister in June last year appointing a new Cabinet and bringing new ideas for the NHS. The BMA also had a change in leadership in June with the appointment of a new Chairman, Hamish Meldrum and are now working even harder to efficiently represent our members and the profession during such uncertain times. For this reason it has been invaluable being able to share the work of Chairman of the SASC. The committee was conscious that co-chairing must be done in such a way that it did not incur additional committee costs. The system works well, because we are both individuals bringing different strengths to the leadership role. The committee has drawn up detailed guidance for the co-chair position to support us in this.

The big news for SASC was the release of the new contract in December, over a year after it had been sent to the Department of Health for ratification. We had initially expected a simple rubber-stamping exercise but the ensuing delays, involvement of the Public Sector Pay Committee and last minute transitional arrangements have been a great disappointment to us. Thank you to those of you that signed the petition to Downing street last year. Despite nearly 4,500 signatures and a year campaigning for the contract release SASC was then told that what was released was not the same contract we had agreed. This delay and ensuing Government imposition has implications for all the BMA’s future negotiations which will need to be addressed. However, SASC decided to take the contract to a wider vote and 60% felt that it should be offered to current SAS doctors. Therefore the new contract came into effect on 1 April 2008. As you will be aware, since then we have been working to try to ensure that implementation is as smooth as possible.

Very few would say that this new contract is ideal but it does have some potential improvements for those in the grade. In this crucial implementation stage will come the true test of this contract and we will rely on feedback and support from all of you in order to ensure that this process is as smooth as possible. Whatever you may think of the contract we believe that it is important to demonstrate unity and determination in order that all SAS doctors that do choose to express an interest can agree appropriate job plans and hence achieve as much as possible from the new contract. This resolute pursuit of job plans, coupled with our work on your behalf should ensure this is the case whilst also supporting those that do not choose to move to the new arrangements.

This year, SASC has continued to try to raise the profile of SAS doctors and the Committee. SASC has been actively engaged in the wider aspects of NHS reform, trying to create a future role for us by working to inform Modernising Medical Careers, Lord Darzi’s Next Stage Review as well as working with the Postgraduate Deaneries to assist the future development of our grades. We have responded to several consultations and taken an active part in several cross- BMA working groups. Our aim is to forge a stable position for SAS doctors within the changing NHS and increase the positive aspects of current reform on our careers by managing opportunities that arise. It is important also that SAS doctors are properly informed about these changes and how to manage and benefit from them and SPP has been working hard to do so.

SASC has continued to work closely with the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) and we now feel that we have established a good position to influence the process. PMETB officials regularly attend the SASC Guidance Group meetings and listen to concerns that our member’s raise and we were pleased to see Mohib Khan appointed as a PMETB partner. Unfortunately there are still concerns with administration and the recent PMETB consultation even suggested a further fee rise which we responded strongly against. Thanks to the detailed guidance we have produced, and the support of BMA Regional Services staff in particular, we feel that we are beginning to address most of the concerns. In particular we are pleased to see an increase in the number of successful applicants to PMETB under Article 14. However there is still more work to be done and we will continue to build on our relationship with PMETB in order to improve the process and increase the career prospects for SAS doctors.

SASC has always had an open democratic structure and this year we are also able to welcomes visitors to SAS Committee meetings. We hope that this scheme, and our communications to you, will encourage your participation so that SASC can grow in strength and continue to engage and influence wider health reform and the future of our grade within it.

This year’s Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) recommendation suggested a flat rise for all of 2.2%, in line with other grades of hospital doctor. This was particularly bitter for SASC after our robust evidence to the DDRB which showed the loss of a pay rise suffered by the last two years of delay and the Governments refusal to back date the new contract.

As co-chairs we would also like to acknowledge the very keen and efficient administrative support from the SASC secretariat and warmly thank the office team for all their hard work over what you will see has been a very challenging year.

The SASC continue to meet the wide ranging issues that face us in the changing health service and to work to turn changes into opportunities. However, it is only through your continued support and unity of purpose that we can achieve as much as we do to act as a foundation for improvements to the working lives and careers of SAS doctors across the UK and in turn to deliver the essential role in caring for our patients that we are increasingly becoming renowned for.

Thank you for your support.

Best wishes,

Mohib Khan and Awani Choudhary