Empowering SAS doctors in healthcare leadership
The鈥疭AS Leadership Programme鈥痓y the Royal College of Physicians (麻豆区) is designed to empower and elevate SAS doctors鈥痠n healthcare leadership. This comprehensive programme has been developed in collaboration with SAS doctors who are themselves senior leaders, members of the 麻豆区鈥檚 SAS Committee, and our experienced clinical faculty.
This programme empowers SAS doctors鈥痶o overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and build a rewarding career path as an SAS doctor. The programme expertly blends practical advice and healthcare specific scenarios with a solid foundation in leadership concepts. These workshops are led by experienced clinical faculty, 麻豆区 educationalists and guest speakers who bring their experience as SAS doctors鈥痜rom a range of specialties.
Applications for this programme are now closed. We will reopen for the 2027-28 programme in March 2028.
For other leadership and training opportunities please visit our event listings page.
100% of learners have said they would recommend the programme.
Why choose our programme?
Our鈥痩eadership development programme for SAS doctors鈥痜ocuses on enhancing your capabilities and career growth. With expert-led courses and a supportive community, you'll acquire the skills needed to succeed as a鈥疭AS leader, along with gaining a SAS leadership accreditation.
As an SAS doctor, you're part of a vital and skilled workforce present in every NHS trust across the UK. Yet despite your essential contribution, SAS doctors have historically been undervalued and under supported.鈥疶his tailored programme is to re-address this inequality and provide dedicated and inspiring leadership development training for SAS doctors.
How do I apply?
Applications for this programme are now closed. We will reopen for the 2027-28 programme in March 2028.
For other leadership and training opportunities please visit our event listings page.
鈥淩ange of speakers, opportunities to discuss, excellent handout material.鈥
Dr Oliver Woolf
SAS Doctor
Who should apply?
The programme is aimed at those SAS doctors who have decided not to go down the Portfolio Pathway (previously known as CESR) but still wish to pursue leadership opportunities in their trust as an SAS doctor.
Applications for this programme are now closed. We will reopen for the 2027-28 programme in March 2028.
For other leadership and training opportunities please visit our event listings page.
"I contributed to the development of this programme and had the opportunity to share my experiences as a clinical leader during the last session of the course. Feedback from SAS delegates has been overwhelmingly positive, so if you are interested in pursuing a leadership role I would encourage you to apply. More and more SAS doctors are keen to develop the skills needed for clinical director roles, similar to my own journey. This progress is supported by the significant efforts the 麻豆区 is making to support SAS doctors."
Dr Naeem Aziz
麻豆区 SAS lead
Programme overview
Teaching days will be interactive allowing learners to work together and explore specific areas important to the role. Supportive resources and reading lists will be supplied by the 麻豆区 library team throughout the programme. Guest speakers will feature on teaching days to share their knowledge and experience with learners.
- Day 1: Developing yourself and your role
Reflect on the SAS role, assess strengths and areas for development, and develop an action plan for the upcoming year. Learners will get the opportunity to complete the Myer鈥檚 Brigg (MBTI) personality type-indicator and receive a personalised report to support self-reflection, with a particular focus on enhancing communication skills in the workplace.
- Day 2: Leadership and culture
Analyse the role of the SAS doctor as a leader, explore leadership styles and understand the importance of fostering a positive organisational culture.
- Day 3: Working with others
Recognise the significance of effective communication, learn strategies for managing challenging conversations, and explore the benefits of supervision and mentoring.
- Day 4: The NHS, improvement and efficiency
Discuss accountability, addressing complaints effectively, explore legislative frameworks, and understand the principles of leading improvement initiatives.
- Day 5: Equality, inclusivity and understanding difference
Examine discrimination and privilege in healthcare, experiences of IMGs, diversity, and inclusion principles, and learn how to challenge microaggressions.
- Day 6: Preparing for your onward journey
Develop autonomous practice, explore career pathways, prioritise wellbeing, and prepare for the next phase of your professional journey.
鈥淕ood self-reflective work but also understanding and appreciation of others within our team. Also, a great opportunity for networking and feeling less alone!鈥
Dr Andreana Cowell-Smith
Specialty Doctor in Haemostasis and Thrombosis
- Develop your role
Reflect on the SAS role, develop autonomous practice, areas for improvement, and prepare for the next phase of your professional journey.鈥
鈥淚t has been inspirational and motivating. Thank you.鈥濃
- Put leadership theory into practice
Enjoy inspiring taught content, delivered by expert facilitators, covering medical leadership theory. Delivered in practical ways to enable you to implement in the workplace and put theory into practice straightaway and tailored to your career growth and leadership development.
鈥淎ll three sessions so far have had a significant impact on my leadership abilities.鈥
- Networking for SAS doctors
Connect with peers and SAS leaders in the NHS to build valuable professional relationships. Join a group of likeminded SAS doctors, of similar career stages looking to develop their skills and confidence.
鈥淏eing around like-minded clinicians with similar values to work life balance.鈥疺ery inspired by all of the speakers who have paved the way for SAS doctors.鈥濃
鈥淩eally good to hear from senior SAS doctors who have broken through barriers into leadership positions.鈥濃
- Find your own leadership style
Learners will get the opportunity to complete the Myer鈥檚 Brigg (MBTI) personality type-indicator and receive a personalised report to support self-reflection, with a particular focus on enhancing communication skills in the workplace. This gives leaders insight into their own behaviours and how to effectively work with others.
鈥淎 brilliant, interactive eye-opening session to start the course with. The [MBTI] personality test has been extremely helpful and will help me be a better person in my role.鈥濃
- Accreditation
Receive the 麻豆区 Leadership accreditation after completion of the programme and submission of a presentation or poster. Learners will be given clear guidance and support during the programme.
The SAS Leadership Programme provides networking opportunities for professional growth and collaboration. Learners engage in interactive sessions, group discussions, and workshops that are facilitated by experienced clinical faculty and SAS leaders.
Networking is integral to the programme, providing a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and building lasting professional relationships. Learners appreciate a likeminded supportive environment, as the SAS role can often be isolating.
- Day 1: London (21 September 2026)
- Day 2: Online (11 November 2026)
- Day 3: London (25 February 2027)
- Day 4: Online (16 April 2027)
- Day 5: London (10 June 2027)
- Day 6: London (13 July 2027)
We offer significant discounts to 麻豆区 Members on all our education activities. Non-members are always welcome, but we encourage you to join the 麻豆区, whatever your grade or specialty, to benefit from great-value professional development opportunities. Find out more about membership.
Flexible payment plans for higher value in-depth programmes can be arranged, and we can directly invoice employers with the appropriate authorisation. Fees can be split over two financial years, and we encourage the use of study budgets and trust top-ups to fund the programme.
Please contact education.courses@rcp.ac.uk if you have any queries about fees or payments.
In-person programme fees
- Member 鈥 SAS specialty grade or equivalent - 拢1500 (Members save 40% / 拢1000)
- Member 鈥 SAS specialist grade or equivalent - 拢1700 (Members save 32% / 拢800)
- Non-member 鈥 (all grades) - 拢2500.
Each workshop day is approved for 5 external CPD credits, a total of 30 CPD credits.
We can work with Trusts to develop long-term partnerships for staff development, reserving places on programmes, offering discounts for multiple bookings, and working with you and the learners to develop impactful workplace-based development
If you are an employer wishing to secure a place on the programme but have not identified your applicant, please contact us and we will be able to reserve a place for your learner(s).
If you are wishing to book multiple places on the programme, please contact us for a multi-seat discount: education.courses@rcp.ac.uk
Our experienced medical educationalists work collaboratively to co-design programmes with senior clinicians who are active in hospitals throughout the UK. This ensures our courses remain relevant and respond to the changing needs of the clinical workforce, enabling high quality patient-centred care.
This unique partnership approach is key to the value and success of our programmes both in the UK and internationally. Each course combines on-the-ground experience and professional knowledge of medical practice in the NHS, alongside educational theory, teaching and practical skills, designed for every stage of your career.
If you have any queries about this programme, or would like to speak to a course lead, please contact us at听education.courses@rcp.ac.uk Tel:听+44 (0)20 3075 1563
鈥淕reat to hear from other like-minded and similarly experienced colleagues but also the opportunity to think about types of leadership/styles.鈥
Dr Andreana Cowell-Smith
Specialty Doctor in Haemostasis and Thrombosis
