SAS doctors previously known as NCCG (Non consultant career grade doctors) are a group of doctors who because of choice, have decided to stay in this grade or due to several reasons have been unable to progress to a consultant grade.

In Wales, there are over 1000 SAS doctors and they form a significant hospital workforce in the NHS, about 20%. A lot of these doctors have postgraduate qualifications and are fellows and members of the Royal colleges and a significant number of these doctors are working at a very senior level independently with increasing responsibility and autonomy.

Unfortunately their professional needs and developments have not been adequately addressed. With the negotiations of the new contract this is being looked at various levels. In England £12 million funding has been granted for 2008/2009 for the professional development of this grade. Unfortunately this has not been the case in Wales.

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