We’ve had years of sub-inflationary pay rises and have not even received the derisory award the DDRB recommended last year. This all means that since 2008 our pay is now approx 31% less than it should be, when compared to RPI inflation.
We recently held an indicative ballot of SAS doctors working in Northern Ireland on whether you would be prepared to move towards industrial action. 43% of SAS BMA members responded with 86.5% of those respondents stating they are willing to take industrial action. It is clear from this result that you are no longer willing to put up with poor pay any longer.
NISASC (the Northern Ireland staff, associate specialist 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.
Belfast Trust
Dr Leanne Breige Sinead Davison
Dr Siobhan Rosemarie Quinn
Dr Julie Craig
Dr Ramy Waly
Northern Trust
Dr Michelle Holland
Mr Haussam Elenin
South Eastern Trust
Dr Joanne Younge
Dr Colin Menagh
Southern Trust
Dr Mark John Feenan
Dr Clodagh Corrigan
Western Trust
Dr Stephanie Warne
Dr Madhukar Reddy Kanala
BDA representative
Dr Neil Markey
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 2023-24 session:
• Thursday 14 September 2023 – Hybrid, Room 5, Assembly Buildings, Belfast
• Tuesday 12 December 2023 –Virtual
• Tuesday 5 March 2024 – Virtual
• Thursday 13 June 2024 – Hybrid, Assembly Buildings Room 6
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:
- Seats/term – every three years, elections for 12 seats on NISASC take place for a three-session term.
- Timeline - elections are usually held in July or August.
- Eligibility - all SAS doctors who are BMA members and working in a Northern Ireland health and social care trust are eligible to stand and vote in this election.
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.
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