An update on BOA SAS activities

On taking up his post as BOA president, Simon Hodkinson spoke of the untapped potential of the SAS & LED workforce. True to his word, the BOA has been turning attention to the support and progression of the SAS/LED workforce. SAS representatives have been working to identify ways to make existing and new initiatives more accessible to our colleagues.

Last year, the SAS session at BOA Congress focused on three emerging topics: community, portfolio pathway, and the new specialist grade.

STONe

The SAS/LEDs have grown substantially in number and are a vital part of the T&O workforce. Many SAS/LED surgeons work in relative isolation from their peers and struggle for career progression.

Last year the BOA launched its SAS/LED T&O Network (STONe) as an online community where SAS/LEDs and mentors can share training opportunities. It already has over 250 members and those without BOA membership can also join (www.boa.ac.uk/SAS).

We held an online event for our members to connect with others in their region who are interested in the T&O Portfolio Pathway (TOPP). Through this, future TOPP applicants found colleagues in their deanery to share their Portfolio Pathway journey with.

Portfolio Pathway

In November 2023, the new Portfolio Pathway, replacing CESR, updated the process for entry onto the specialist register. This reduced the burden of documentation without lowering the clinical and professional standards of successful applicants. The focus, similar to that of a specialty trainee, is on achieving competencies rather than the learning course. To coin a phrase, ‘you don’t have to show you used to be a caterpillar, you just have to show that you’re a butterfly now’.

Specialist grade

For surgeons having years of expertise in one field, the specialist grade is often the most suitable route to ‘having their name at the head of the bed’.

It has particular benefits for workforce planning as it recognises experienced SAS surgeons who have demonstrated the ability to work independently and safely.

This grade is underutilised and there is a need for NHS trusts to improve availability of specialist grade posts for those already capable of working at a senior unsupervised level.

The BOA

The BOA is strongly supportive of SAS surgeons in leadership roles. Last year the governance changes approved at the AGM included allowing and indeed encouraging SAS surgeons of equivalent experience to post CCT colleagues to become trustees as well as committee members. All such surgeons can now play a key part in decision making within the association including voting for candidates in elections for all Executive positions.

The Future Leaders Programme (FLP) also encourages SAS surgeons to apply, contribute and ‘step up to the plate’ for leadership roles. These are exciting times!

SAS networking lunch

The BOA is planning to hold a networking lunch for SAS/LEDs at Congress in September. It will act as an ideal opportunity to meet and engage with the wider SAS community.

T&O SAS surgeons have an ever-increasing range of career options open to them, and the growing understanding of the role and value of SAS/LEDs in the T&O community is paving the way for this capable and enthusiastic group to strive and really ‘work at the top of their game’.