Responding to a survey from the GMC¹, which found that 23% of locally employed and 31% of SAS doctors said they had experienced or witnessed bullying and harassment in their role, BMA UK SAS committee co-chair Dr Ujjwala Mohite said:

“These findings may appear shocking, but will be sadly unsurprising for most SAS doctors and LEDs working in the NHS.

“For too long both groups of doctors have been devalued and disrespected by management and often even our own colleagues, despite being the backbone of many NHS services, providing essential and lifesaving care day-in, day-out.

“As this survey shows, this disrespect too often crosses the line into bullying and harassment, made all the more worse considering the majority of SAS and LEDs are doctors who qualified overseas, underlining the deep institutional discrimination within the NHS.

“That these findings are published during ‘SAS Week’ when the NHS is supposed to be celebrating the contribution of SAS doctors while advocating for and supporting their wellbeing, shows just how far we have to go.

“While progress has been made in recent years to improve the experiences of SAS and LEDs, including changes that allow LEDs to transfer from insecure and exploitative local contracts to national terms and conditions, there is clearly the bigger problem of culture that needs addressing.

“The behaviours illustrated in this report have no place in our NHS, and when doctors speak up, they need to be assured that they will be listened to and their concerns will be acted on.

“Across all four nations of the UK, SAS doctors remain deeply unhappy about their pay, recognition and working conditions, with SAS doctors in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland all in dispute with their respective governments. Reports like this underline the need for governments and employers to take serious action to support and retain this invaluable group of doctors who, as the GMC points out, make up such a considerable proportion of the NHS workforce.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.

1. Please contact the GMC for further information.