NISASC (the Northern Ireland specialists, associate specialists and specialty doctors committee) is a standing committee of the BMA, representing all SAS doctors working in Northern Ireland. Its remit is to consider and act on matters affecting SAS doctors, including contractual matters.

Some of the external groups and bodies we liaise with on behalf of SAS doctors in Northern Ireland include the:

• General Medical Council
• DoH (Department of Health) 
• HSC NI trusts
• NIMDTA

Our priorities

• Work with key stakeholders to ensure implementation of the new specialty doctor and specialist contracts
• Engage with key stakeholders to implement NISAS charter.
• Take forward issues relating to pay and terms and conditions of service
• Represent SAS doctors in Northern Ireland to ensure their voices are heard.

We also promote the policies of the UK SAS doctors committee:

SAS charter

The Northern Ireland SAS charter sets out the responsibilities of SAS doctors and their employers, providing a commitment to support and enable SAS doctors to realise their potential to deliver the best patient care and contribute fully to health services. It was developed by NISASC in collaboration with the DoH (Department of Health) in Northern Ireland and the HSC Trusts to help advance the careers of those working in this grade. 

The charter recognises the pivotal role SAS doctors hold in the delivery of high-quality care and the significant contribution they make not only to patient care, but in leadership, education, research and governance. SAS doctors bring experiences and specialist care, possess individual and often highly specialised skills, and undertake broader roles through activities such as teaching and audit. 

We continue to work in partnership with Trusts and DoH NI to ensure that the charter is implemented throughout Trusts for the benefit of SAS doctors and patients.

If you have any questions in relation to the NI SAS charter, please email us.  

SAS career development

NISASC is committed to developing the role of SAS doctors as a valued and integral part of the medical workforce in Northern Ireland.

Since 2015 we have focused on the SAS career development proposal to help improve opportunities for training and development, information sharing and educational networking.

With the appointment of SAS Leads in each Trust, a recently appointed Associate Dean for SAS, and the ongoing implementation of the 2021 contracts for Specialists and Specialty Doctors, the recommendations contained within the proposal have come to fruition. 

We will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure SAS doctors receive effective development, which will benefit patient safety and employers as well as the individual doctors. 

Our people

Chair: Leanne Davison, Belfast Trust

Deputy co-chairs:
Clodagh Corrigan (SAS education, training and development and SAS charter implementation).
Siobhan Quinn (SAS negotiations, terms and conditions, and SAS charter implementation).

Executive subcommittee

NISASC has an executive subcommittee which co-ordinates its strategic approach to policy issues, acts as a core negotiating body for the SASC in Northern Ireland, and is another link between NISASC and the regional LNC forum. It also considers and, where appropriate, acts upon urgent matters referred to it between meetings of the NISASC.

Our meetings

We hold four meetings a year to discuss the latest issues affecting SAS doctors in Northern Ireland. Only committee members may participate in votes on NISASC business, but SAS doctors who are BMA members are welcome to attend in a non-voting capacity as part of the BMA committee visitor scheme.

Meeting dates for the 2024/25 session:

• Thursday 19 September 2024 - Hybrid
• Wednesday 18 December 2024 - Virtual
• Tuesday 18 March 2025 - Hybrid
• Wednesday 11 June 2025 – Virtual

All meetings will commence at 2pm.

For more information email us or call 028 9026 9658.

How to join

There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills. 

Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of NISASC, this is: 

The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.

Elections

Elections to the Northern Ireland staff, associate specialist and specialty doctors committee are now closed. The next elections will take place in 2026.

Get in touch

If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the NISASC or want to tell us what our priorities should be, email us.