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Dr Kumar Swamy is a Specialist in Neonatology at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. He has been involved with the RCPCH SAS committee for over ten years, working first as a regional representative. As Joint Chair, part of his responsibility is to represent the SAS interests of the College on the Academy of Medical Royal College's SAS meetings. He is also an SAS Tutor for Nottingham University Hospitals and aims to support SAS doctors both locally and nationally.
Get involved
In this episode of Leading the Way, Dr Kumar Swamy and I explore how leadership rarely begins with a title but with curiosity, involvement, and a willingness to contribute. Kumar developed his leadership skills organically by:
- getting involved in committee work
- observing others
- learning how systems operate.
His experience highlights an important message for all SAS doctors: leadership opportunities often emerge from simply stepping forward in areas you care about, then learning and growing along the way.
Lead collaboratively
A standout feature of Kumar’s leadership approach is the co-leadership model he shares with a colleague. This partnership demonstrates the power of shared leadership - bringing complementary strengths together, navigating challenges collaboratively, and ultimately leading more effectively.
It offers a valuable lesson for others: leadership doesn’t have to be done alone.
Amplify impact
At the heart of this reflection is the significant contribution of SAS doctors. Representing around 30% of the medical workforce in the NHS, and a notable proportion within specialties such as paediatrics, SAS doctors are essential to delivering high-quality care. Yet their role is still evolving in terms of recognition and development.
Recognition and career progression are the biggest issues for SAS doctors. And the major focus of our, of my work has been raising awareness of these issues through the college.
We discuss these issues in our committee meetings three times a year. [We] run SAS focus sessions at the RCPCH Conference actively promote SAS career pathways through Milestones, webinars, and now this podcast. This is what we've been doing to raise awareness.
And I've been particularly involved in securing college support for SAS Six strategy which is a grassroot campaign by the SAS collective which basically is six key improvements to support SAS doctors in educational supervision, professional development, access to specialist roles leadership and management opportunities, fair contracts recognition of teaching roles.
Kumar’s work exemplifies how leadership can amplify this impact. Through clear, consistent, and persuasive messaging, he and his colleagues are helping to raise the profile of SAS careers, highlighting them as a positive, viable and fulfilling pathway.
Quiet but meaningful leadership
Kumar's journey as an SAS doctor illustrates a pathway into leadership that will resonate with many, one shaped by stepping forward, learning from others, and growing through experience.
This is leadership in action: not loud or hierarchical, but persistent, collaborative, and purpose driven. And it’s through leaders like Kumar that SAS doctors are truly leading the way.