Frequently Asked Questions

The following page provides answers to some of the frequently asked questions about SAS related issues.  They are not exhaustive so if you have any other questions please do contact us.

Index of questions

1. Who is my SAS Trust Lead / Tutor and what are their responsibilities?
2. Who is my first point of contact within NHS England - North West regarding SAS matters?
3. What is NHS England doing with funding for SAS Professional Development?
4. I am a Trust Grade doctor, but not a Specialty, Associate Specialist or Specialist doctor, is this funding intended for me too?
5. I want to apply for specialist registration via the Portfolio Pathway.

1. Who is my SAS Trust Lead / Tutor, and what are their responsibilities?

Each trust has a designated SAS Lead/ Tutor.  Please contact your local postgraduate medical education centre for details They are the first point of contact for SAS doctors looking for guidance on accessing professional development opportunities.

NHS England - North West  hosts quarterly Education Committee Meetings and Networking for the Trust Leads / Tutors and Administrators to enable better communication and the sharing of good practice.

2. Who is my first point of contact within NHS England North West on SAS matters?

Please email: england.sasdoctors.nw@nhs.net

3. What is NHS England – North West doing with funding for SAS Professional Development?

NHS England – North West is responsible for the management and allocation of educational funding for SAS doctors, working collaboratively with SAS Leads, Tutors and Local Education Providers (LEPs) to ensure the fund is utilised appropriately.

£12 million of recurrent funding was made available by the Department of Health in 2008 to support the development of SAS grade doctors and this is separate and in addition to any existing study leave funding.

The development fund for SAS Doctors within NHS England - North West is held centrally and managed by the aforementioned team, who work closely with Leads, Tutors and LEPs who submit business cases to secure funding for educational development and training.

4. I am a Trust Grade doctor, but not a Specialty, Associate Specialist or Specialist doctor, is this funding intended for me too? 

No, the SAS Development Funding is not available to doctors in Trust Grade posts.  All Trusts are expected to ensure there is adequate professional development provision for their doctors in Trust Grade roles.

5. I want to apply for specialist registration via the Portfolio Pathway?

Please refer to our Principles and Guidance document for information about funding.

There are a range of different things you could use the funding to help yourself through preparing for the process, for example attending relevant courses. Please contact your SAS Trust Lead / Tutor for guidance.

Please note that NHS England - North West or the Trusts cannot fund individual application fees with the allocated SAS professional development funding. Whilst an SAS doctor can be aided in progressing towards completion of their application, for example by accessing relevant courses or attending relevant teaching sessions, the application fee is not something that the fund should be used for.  This is a professional commitment in the same way that professional registration or membership fees are an individual professional commitment and not that of NHS England - North West or the Trust.