Specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors - how we work with you

Find out how the College works with and supports Specialist, Associate Specialist and Specialty (SAS) doctors in training, continuing professional development, research and health policy.
Last modified
15 December 2023

RCPCH membership

We invite SAS doctors working in paediatrics to join the College. Your membership includes monitoring of your continuing professional development (CPD). Subscriptions are fully tax deductible; if you are a UK tax payer you can claim up to 40% of your subscription back from the Inland Revenue.

Find out your membership type and apply

Support on training and education

We provide the following to RCPCH members who are SAS doctors:

  • careers advice for those wanting to make the most of a SAS career
  • guidance for SAS doctors considering entering or re-entering the paediatric training programme, including information on accessing the national grid for sub-specialty training in paediatrics
  • guidance about the MRCPCH and DCH (Diploma of Child Health) exams
  • guidance on applying for entry to paediatric specialist register either in paediatrics or a sub-specialty of paediatrics through the CESR (Certificate of Eligibility of Specialist Registration) routes
  • access to workplace based assessments and ePortfolio accounts to support demonstration of competencies of the paediatric training curriculum, for example for use for CESR applications, if considering entry/re-entry to the paediatric training programme
  • opportunities to get involved as a College Tutor so you can support doctors in your organisation
  • access to a range of educational courses, events and eLearning
  • access to mentoring standards and information about endorsed mentoring schemes across the UK
  • access to the RCPCH CPD diary in ePortfolio to record continuing professional development (CPD) activities (although non-member option is available)
  • access to revalidation advice and guidance
  • access to paediatric parent and carer feedback tool for revalidation

SAS Committee

The RCPCH Specialist, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor Committee represents the specific needs of SAS doctors practicing in paediatrics, both College members and non-members, to improve recognition of their contribution to paediatrics and to identify opportunities for continuing professional development, support and progression.

The Committee includes elected members and regional representatives, as well as representation from British Association of Community Child Health (BACCH) and British Medical Association (BMA). The Chair of the committee sits on College Council.

SAS charters

The BMA - jointly with key nation-specific organisations - has produced a SAS Charter. This sets out the support available to SAS doctors and what they can expect from their employers.

There are four charters, one for each of the four UK nations, and a supporting document that summaries resources and recommendations.

Access charters on the BMA website

Appraisal

Appraisal is not an RCPCH process, but a Trust-based one. Appraisals are done against national standards and for SAS doctors they should be worked out with the supervising Consultants.

RCPCH Regional Training Advisers can counsel SAS doctors on appraisal aspects.

Recognition for your work role

We cannot intervene in cases where you feel you are denied recognition for your work role. Instead, we recommend that such cases be taken up with a trade union, such as the British Medical Association.

For more information

Please contact the Committees team on committees@rcpch.ac.uk