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Hidden heroes of the NHS

February 2006

Foreword by BMA Chairman
As a surgeon, I can tell you that the work rates of the doctors in this dossier are extremely impressive. Yet despite their often Herculean contribution to patient services, Staff and Associate Specialist doctors are frequently marginalised and denied the plaudits they deserve. They were the last group of NHS workers to see their pay and working practices reviewed, and there still is insufficient recognition for their achievements - both within the NHS and outside.

It is one of my priorities as BMA chairman to ensure that we strive to help all SAS doctors to achieve their full potential, not just for them, but also their patients. The work of the doctors featured here is only part of the story; day in day out, across the UK, SAS doctors are working phenomenally hard to keep NHS services running.

I would like to be the first to congratulate not just the doctors in this dossier, but all SAS doctors, for the work they do for their patients, for the NHS and for the medical profession.


Mr James N. Johnson
Chairman of Council
British Medical Association



To read the case studies in this report click through the links of the regions in the right hand menu or download the document as a pdf from the right hand link.

The related research report gives a graphical overview of the role of staff grade and associate specialist doctors in UK hospitals and may be viewed by clicking on the link on the right.