Introduction
I am very pleased to introduce our new resource for SAS anaesthetists.
This is replacing the previous SAS Handbook in a way that we hope is
relevant, useful and accessible.
SAS doctors make up at least 20% of the anaesthetic workforce, and combined with locally-employed
doctors are the fastest growing part of the medical workforce in the NHS. We have
aimed to produce a resource that will be helpful to you in your career, tailored to the needs
of those in the SAS grades but also providing useful general information for everyone. We
know that those who work in these grades often feel isolated and have difficulty in gaining the
support and recognition that they deserve. We hope that this resource will go a small way at
least to assisting with this and will answer the more commonly occurring queries.
In recognition of the difficulties that many of the international medical graduates face when
first joining the NHS we have added a chapter with information especially aimed at them for
the first time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped in putting this
together: my fellow members of the SAS Committee at the Association, the president, officers,
Board and all the staff of the Association. I would also like to thank all those who have taken
the time to access this content; we are stronger together and the Association works hard on
behalf of all of its members. As a membership organisation, we are very keen to reflect what
our members would like us to do and if there are any queries or suggestions for future content
then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Dr Emma Wain, Chair of the SAS Committee and Honorary Treasurer,
Association of Anaesthetists