Empowering SAS doctors in healthcare leadership
The SAS Leadership Programme by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is designed to empower and elevate SAS doctors in healthcare leadership. This year-long programme has been developed in collaboration with SAS doctors who are themselves senior leaders, members of the RCP’s SAS Committee, and our experienced clinical faculty.
This programme empowers SAS doctors to 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, RCP educationalists and guest speakers who bring their experience as SAS doctors from a range of specialties.
Apply nowThe programme includes interactive sessions where you'll explore key topics such as self-reflection on the SAS role, leadership styles, effective communication, autonomy in your role, accountability, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), Quality Improvement, developing a business case and strategies for improvements in your role.
Learners will get the opportunity to complete the Myer’s 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.
100% of learners have said they would recommend the programme.
Why choose our programme?
Our leadership development programme for SAS doctors focuses 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 SAS 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. This tailored programme is to re-address this inequality and provide dedicated and inspiring leadership development training for SAS doctors. The RCP was the first medical royal college to endorse #SASsix, a campaign founded by the SAS Collective to improve the career development and retention of specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors across the UK. This programme, established by the RCP is a flagship development programme for SAS doctors.
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 RCP 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’s 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 & 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.
“Good self-reflective work but also understanding and appreciation of others within our team. Also, a great opportunity for networking and feeling less alone!” - 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.
“It has been inspirational and motivating. Thank you.”
- 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.
“All three sessions so far have had a significant impact on my leadership abilities”
- 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.
“Being around like-minded clinicians with similar values to work life balance. Very inspired by all of the speakers who have paved the way for SAS doctors.”
“Really good to hear from senior SAS doctors who have broken through barriers into leadership positions”
- Find your own leadership style
Learners will get the opportunity to complete the Myer’s 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.
“A 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.”
- Accreditation
Receive the RCP 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.
The optional accreditation project, should you wish to complete it, will be linked to the themes of either ‘Advocacy as a leader’ or ‘Improvement as a leader’ and is mapped to the Medical Leadership Competency Framework. You are encouraged to implement positive changes in your workplace to evidence the learning on the programme, this can be linked to an existing change initiative or QI project at your trust.
Learners can submit a presentation or poster to receive the RCP Leadership accreditation, you will be given clear guidance and support during the programme and asked to submit your completed poster or presentation as evidence a few months after completion of the programme.
Liverpool cohort dates
- Day 1: Liverpool cohort – in person, 18 September 2025
- Day 2 Liverpool cohort – online, 20 November 2025
- Day 3: Liverpool cohort – in person, 12 February 2026
- Day 4: Liverpool cohort – online, 16 April 2026
- Day 5: Liverpool cohort – in person, 18 June 2026
- Day 6: Liverpool cohort – in person, 16 July 2026
London cohort dates
- Day 1: London cohort – in person, 11 September 2025
- Day 2 London cohort – online, 20 November 2025
- Day 3: London cohort – in person, 26 February 2026
- Day 4: London cohort – Online, 16 April 2026
- Day 5: London cohort – in person, 11 June 2026
- Day 6: London cohort – in person, 9 July 2026
The cost for the year-long programme for SAS doctor is £2,000 (£1,800 with our 10% member discount) which can be split over 2 financial years, and we encourage use of study budgets and trust top-ups to fund this.
We suggest you ask your medical director or trust to support with funding your place on this programme. We are happy to contact them and discuss how this might be possible, contact us at education.courses@rcp.ac.uk.
We have a limited number of funded places available for RCP members, you must be a member at time of application, find out more about membership.
“Great to hear from other like-minded and similarly experienced colleagues but also the opportunity to think about types of leadership/styles.” - Dr Andreana Cowell-Smith, Specialty Doctor in Haemostasis and Thrombosis
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.
We do have a Six-step course for the new consultant, which is suitable for post-Portfolio Pathway doctors.
Additionally, we have a short course in leadership as an introduction for those early in their careers. Please email Education.courses@rcp.ac.uk if you are interested.
“Range of speakers, opportunities to discuss, excellent handout material.” - Dr Oliver Woolf, SAS Doctor
How do I apply?
Applications for the 2025/26 cohort are open and will close on 12 June. You can apply using the form below.
When applications do reopen the following information will be required as part of the application:
- Information about previous job roles (last 5 years)
- Information about any previous leadership training
- Information about any prior leadership experience
- Personal statement highlighting motivation for joining the programme (max 500 words)
- Contact details of line manager to be able to confirm consent for participating in the programme.
- Complete the expression of interest form to be notified of new programme dates.
We do have a Six-step course for the new consultant, which is suitable for post-Portfolio Pathway doctors.
Additionally, we have a short course in leadership as an introduction for those early in their careers. Please email Education.courses@rcp.ac.uk if you are interested.
Apply nowYou can register your interest for the 2026/27 cohort here.