The staff grade and associate specialists (SAS) now have a dedicated section on the BGS Website.

Interestingly we are the 13th section listed on the menu bar of the BGS website but this is only unlucky for some, remember. If you place your mouse over the Staff/Associate item this will then give you a drop down list with our index page at the top. To date I have written pages on appraisal, Continuing Professional Development and a news page. Other suggestions for topics and links would be appreciated. The news page contains details of your pay award for 2006-2007.

The pages on appraisal and CPD give much helpful advice on how to organise your appraisal and CPD activities. The new emphasis is on managed CPD with a carefully considered CPD action plan. This is subtly different from the Personal Development Plan that we complete for appraisal. The concept of the former is to carefully assess our learning needs by considering the following questions: Where am I now? What have I achieved? Where am I going? How will I get there? There are also links to various other areas on the BGS and Royal College of Physicians websites, which go into greater detail.

Careful planning of your CPD activities and goals will enable you to achieve your academic aims within the appraisal process.

New contract
In my last column I mentioned that the new SAS contract was likely to be delayed. It is now apparent that several further months of negotiations are likely. However, further news on the talks progress and the likely structure of the new SAS contract have been released and can be linked into from the new BGS SAS website.

If you have not yet registered with the BMA you need to do so in order to have your say on the new contract. It is not a requirement in this instance to be a BMA member so if you have not registered go to their web page www.bma.org.uk. At the top right of this page there is a ‘contact us’ tab so you can send your details electronically to the BMA (name, grade, work address and GMC number).

Regional Meetings – SW Thames
The next SW Thames Regional meeting will be held at St George’s Hospital on Friday afternoon, 26th May. There is a busy, varied program, which is approved for CPD purposes and lunch is available beforehand. A slot has been again allocated specifically for SAS doctors and I hope my colleagues from the SW Thames Region will attend. Please contact me and I will send you the details.

Sue Morgan
Chair
Staff and Associate Specialists Sub-Committee