For the second year running the BMA has successfully organised a second conference for SAS Doctors on 26th November 2010 at he BMA House in London.
The conference was well attended with Speciality and Associate Specialist Doctors from all over the country participating in the programme which was started by a lecture about medical education and SAS doctors development. The speaker was professor Jacky Hayden, Dean of PG medical Studies, North West Deanery. She mentioned that the role of the clinicians is to focus on the quality of a service which put the patient at the centre. She predicted a major role for continuing medical education in raising the standard and the quality of the medical service of the future. Professor Hayden said that the future doctors must be able to communicate effectively, be adaptable, self reflect and able to redefine credibility. She called for further efforts in providing education for SAS doctors about leadership development skills and self development which is expected to lead to understand how to bring about change in the new NHS.
The second speaker was Dr Charles Gutteridge, National clinical director for informatics, Department of Health. He stated that the information revolution has given patients greater choice and better control of their health issues or that is at least what is expected in the near future. He mentioned that the pathway management system means providing health care outside the traditional boundaries which will enable doctors to intervene early.
In the conference, the SAS doctors had an opportunity to be updated about the SAS committee of the BMA work and the latest information about revalidation and appraisal. Mr Richard Marchant, assistant director of regulation policy in the GMC was the speaker and he participated in Q&A session regarding the subject of revalidation for SAS doctors.
There were 5 parallel sessions in the conference about how to gain CESR, did someone mention pensions, SAS leadership and assertive communication in the workplace, know your contract, know your rights and making the most of flexible and part time working.
Dr Kate Bullen, Deputy chair of BMA Council, who herself is one of the SAS doctors as speaking at the end of the conference about women in medicine- an update and thoughts for the future. Dr Laurie Baxter, Chair of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust Medical Staffing Committee and chair of ENT UK SASC gave a presentation about job planning and appraisal- tips for success.
