Author: Dr Claire Shannon, RCoA President

SAS doctors are essential to the NHS, our specialty and our College. With more than 1,850 SAS anaesthetists working across the UK – many of them College members – this is a community we are proud to celebrate during SAS week, and to support throughout the year. 

We benefit enormously from the expertise and leadership our SAS members bring through fulfilling College roles. It is SAS doctors themselves who are at the centre of our work to improve SAS career progression, recognition and professional development. 

Representation and voice

SAS members are represented on Council by our elected colleagues, Dr Ashwini Keshkamat and Dr Kirstin May, and supported by a dedicated SAS Committee. The Committee champions education, training, professional development and wellbeing, while working closely with the Association of Anaesthetists and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on shared priorities. The College has also endorsed the six principles of the SAS Collective (there’s more on that in Dr Zoe Robertson’s article). 

We also make sure SAS doctors are represented on every College board and committee – including chairing – so that your perspectives contribute to all areas of our work. SAS colleagues also serve as FRCA examiners and affiliate examiners, clinical content leads for our events, and in many other influential roles.