Specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors range from post-foundation year doctors at the start of their careers, through to fully autonomous senior decision makers. They are invaluable not just for their delivery of care, but also for leadership, teaching, providing continuity, and mentoring junior staff.

SAS doctors have been with us through some highly turbulent times in recent years. They have tackled ever-growing waiting lists, worked should-to-shoulder with us throughout the COVID pandemic, and residents are extremely grateful for them providing the cover required during industrial action.

Despite their paramount importance as part of our profession, they have been taken for granted by successive governments, who have delivered them an appalling 24% pay cut since 2008/09. SAS members have had enough, and they too are now in dispute with the Government.

Similarly to consultants, our SAS colleagues received a positive response to their recent indicative ballot. 82% said they would be willing to act, demonstrating the strength of feeling from all senior doctors in secondary care.

While this week allows time to praise SAS doctors and the work they do, it is their constant commitment that stands out. We must work together to ensure our SAS colleagues receive the recognition, reward, and professional development they so deserve.

SAS week sees organisations come together to focus on a group of professionals who rarely get a moment in the spotlight. But a week is only the beginning: we – employers, doctors, and the BMA alike – need to carry the lessons of SAS week with us all year round.

Together, as chair of the resident doctors committee and co-chairs of the consultants committee, we are proud to be highlighting the valuable place our SAS colleagues occupy at the heart of health services.

Please do take this opportunity to learn from our colleagues, and the role we can play in ensuring they get the recognition they deserve within the workplace.

Jack Fletcher is BMA resident doctors committee chair

Shanu Datta and Helen Neary are joint BMA consultants committee chairs