When I chose the SAS route, it was not because I had given up. I looked honestly at where I was in life and what worked best for me.

I came to the UK from India with experience, family commitments and no desire to keep moving around the country. When the opportunity to become a SAS doctor arose in 2008, I took it.

I made that compromise and was comfortable with it, but I was not prepared to stop developing.

The SAS role gave me stability, independence and a better work-life balance. It also allowed me to build lasting relationships and become part of a team.

Some still see the SAS route as a second choice, but I never have; for me, it has always been a rewarding career.

Leadership beyond titles

One thing I realised very quickly is that opportunities do not always arrive neatly packaged.

As a SAS doctor, you often have to put yourself forward.

I became involved in teaching, appraisal, rota management and departmental improvement because I was interested and because I wanted to contribute. I never liked the idea of sitting back and waiting for somebody else to decide what I could do.

If you feel overlooked, you have to ask yourself what you can do to change that. I have always believed that if you do not respect yourself, nobody else is going to respect you either. You have to show people what you can do.

Over the years, I became an appraiser, a rota organiser and eventually an appraisal lead. None of those opportunities came because of a particular title. They came because I was willing to get involved.

Leadership is not always about having authority. Sometimes it is about being the person who keeps things moving, supports colleagues and makes sure people's voices are heard.

Why advocacy matters

That drew me towards advocacy.

When changes affecting the workforce left many SAS doctors frustrated, I shared their concerns. But rather than criticising from the outside, I wanted to understand what was happening.

That was why I became involved with the BMA.

I often say that if we are not in the room, our voices will not be heard. It is easy to criticise decisions afterwards; it is harder to step forward and join the conversation.

I wanted SAS doctors to have a voice and understand their rights and opportunities. I also wanted better understanding between doctors and management. Those conversations are not easy, but understanding another viewpoint often gets you further than arguing.

Helping others find their way through the specialist grade process

One of the things I am proudest of is helping other SAS doctors recognise what they are capable of.

When the specialist grade application process was introduced, many colleagues felt overwhelmed by it. I understand why, because my first reaction was much the same.

Then I sat down and looked at what was being asked.

I realised something important: I had already done much of it. Years of work, leadership, education and service development were already there. The challenge was bringing that evidence together and showing it.

Completing the application was a personal achievement, not because of the title itself, but because it formally recognised everything I had contributed over nearly two decades.

Since then, I have encouraged and supported other SAS doctors to do the same. Many have far more experience than they give themselves credit for. Sometimes all they need is somebody to tell them that they are ready.

Looking ahead

I would like to see more SAS doctors recognised not only for the service they provide, but for the leadership, education and experience they bring to the NHS.

Too often, we are viewed primarily as a workforce solution. We fill rotas, provide continuity and keep services running. We do all of those things. But we also have much more to offer.

I never wanted to be somebody who simply turned up to work and existed. I wanted to have a purpose, continue learning and make a difference. I wanted to help create opportunities for other SAS doctors too.

The good news is that attitudes are changing. There is greater recognition of the contribution SAS doctors make and clearer progression routes for those coming behind us.

For me, the SAS pathway has offered challenges, fulfilment, leadership opportunities and a chance to make a real contribution. Looking back, I would make the same choice again.

Edith Sucharita Jiwanmall is a specialist doctor in anaesthetics and appraisal lead, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board; member of the Welsh specialist, associate specialist and specialty committee.