New data from the Association of Anaesthetists reveals the NHS is failing senior clinicians
26 June 2026
New data collected by the Association has revealed that many doctors working across the NHS are not receiving the same career and training opportunities as other clinicians, despite playing a critical role in the health service.
The reported data shows that SAS doctors are being excluded from structured career development, specialist progression opportunities, and long-term workforce planning.
It shows significant variation in the use of specialist and specialty doctor contracts across the UK nations, suggesting inconsistent approaches to recognising and developing experienced doctors.
The data also reveals Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs) are overrepresented, accounting for 29% of the combined SAS and LED anaesthetic workforce, meaning almost one in three doctors in this group are working in roles outside formal training pathways.
The findings highlight the increasingly central role LEDs play in sustaining NHS services, while also raising concerns about workforce planning, career progression, and employment consistency. Unlike doctors employed through nationally recognised SAS pathways, many LEDs work without standardised progression structures or long-term workforce protections.
The Association of Anaesthetists SAS Committee Chair, Dr Emma Wain said:
“The increasing use of local contracts is of concern. Maintaining a healthcare workforce that will meet the needs of the population is essential and SAS contracts facilitate the development of doctors currently not in training programmes allowing them to progress through to senior roles. This is vital in the NHS today, and we would ask that all doctors that meet the criteria to be on a SAS contract are given this opportunity.”