Unfair treatment affecting many SAS and LE doctors

A General Medical Council survey has sound that Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) and Locally Employed (LE) doctors have been bullied, undermined or harassed at work in the last year.

The regulator published the initial results of its first ever survey of SAS and LE doctors – the one in six UK doctors who are not GPs, consultants nor in training roles. It found that 30 per cent of SAS doctors and 23 per cent of their LE counterparts had been bullied, undermined or harassed at work in the last year, either by colleagues or by patients and their families.

The most common types of undermining behaviour reported were rudeness and incivility, and belittling and humiliation, with one in six respondents reported suffering threatening or insulting comments or behaviour. Additionally, where bullying related to protected characteristics was reported, race was the most commonly-cited factor.

Charlie Massey, the GMC’s chief executive, said: “Doctors in SAS and LE roles are a hugely diverse group, and for many it is a positive career choice. It is unacceptable that they, or anyone, should have to experience this type of behaviour. That many of these doctors, who are so crucial to UK healthcare, are being treated this way is shocking. It must change.

“SAS and LE doctors are a vital part of the UK’s healthcare workforce. Like all doctors they need and deserve working environments that are fully supportive, to maximise their potential to deliver good care to patients.”

A quarter of SAS doctors and nearly a third of LE doctors also reported feeling burnt out because of their work.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “It is unacceptable for any NHS member of staff to experience bullying and undermining behaviour from colleagues and patients. These actions fundamentally contradict the core values of the NHS of respect and dignity, compassion and inclusion. Professionals working in SAS and locally employed roles are essential members of the NHS workforce. And yet it is clear that SAS doctors have been experiencing disproportionate feeling of isolation, and being undervalued, for some time.

“It is particularly distressing to see that race is the most commonly-cited factor in reports of bullying behaviour. We know that there are strong links between a diverse workforce and good patient care.“Trusts are aware of the need to improve the offer to staff working in these roles, but more work and wider support is needed to ensure that this trend discontinues across the health and care system. In the coming months, we hope to see agreement over a new multi-year contract for SAS doctors which should help set the foundations for improved recognition and reward. The NHS must also act swiftly with an ambition to exponentially improve the experience of BME staff in 2020 and beyond.”