SAS Development Fund Application Process

Scottish Government is providing annual funding for SAS doctors' and dentists' training and development needs.

This is not to support routine CPD, which should be funded as normal via your employer's study leave budget, but is rather to provide assistance to individuals by way of a contribution towards the cost of carrying out a course of study or project, for the purpose of meeting a specific aim as outlined above.

What's included?

The SAS Professional Development Programme funding currently extends to March 2019, with a view to renewal the following financial year. Funding has been provided to support future course fees plus reasonable travel and subsistence costs (within the UK only), but in order to optimise the number of applicants who may benefit from the SAS Development Fund the monies CANNOT be used to support examination fees, exam preparation courses or college related fees (to present a CESR application).

For courses which extend beyond a single academic year, objective evidence of successful achievement within the first year will be required from the applicant prior to approval being granted to fund subsequent years.

To date, we have received a total of 255 applications for funding, of which 86% have been approved for funding.

Please find our application process flowchart here which includes information on eligibility and how to correctly complete your application.

What courses can I apply for?

To date, the Development Fund has supported applications for :-

Train the Trainer (Endoscopy) course, ALS Instructor training, CCRiSP courses, Laparoscopy courses, ADOS Autism Diagnostic Observation Skills courses, Cardiac/ECHO training, Transvaginal Ultrasound training, Rheumatology Ultrasound training, and other postgraduate qualification in specialty specific disciplines such as Palliative Medicine, Paediatric Neuro-disability and Conscious Sedation (Dentistry) courses amongst others.  This list is not exhaustive.

Applications for assistance from the Development Fund should relate to projects or courses of study which can clearly demonstrate enhanced or improved clinical service provision and patient care and safety.  These projects or courses of study should lead to an increased contribution by the recipient to the National Health Service both in general and locally.

Applications may be considered for

• short-term top-up training for CESR in accordance with current GMC specialty specific guidance
• postgraduate qualifications which may be certificate/diplomas/masters in clinical areas or others such as leadership, education, ethics etc.
• short term clinical secondments for additional experience, which are of relevance to the individual and the Service they support.
• other training and development opportunities which are considered to enhance the development of that individual doctor/dentist and the service they can provide.

Applicants must hold a substantive grade post and will require approval from their Head of Service/Clinical Director and their Director of Medical Education before their application can be considered. If potential applicants require help and support in the process this will initially be provided by their DME but then by the locally appointed SAS Educational Adviser in their board area.

The national SAS Programme Board consists of the following representation:

• Postgraduate Dean and Professional Development Workstream Lead, Professor Ronald MacVicar
• Associate Postgraduate Dean (SAS), Dr Lynne Meekison
• Representative of the Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• Representative of the DME's group
• Representative of the Scottish Association of Medical Directors (SAMD)
• Representatives of the British Medical Association (BMA)

This SAS Programme Board meets 4 times a year to assess and approve applications for funding and to try and improve the delivery of training and development for SAS doctors working in Scotland over and above their study leave entitlement.

When can I apply?

Applications can be submitted at any time during each funding approval cycle. The cut-off dates for the next cycle are as follows:

The Programme Board will next meet on WEDNESDAY 24TH APRIL 2019 to assess applications for funding.

To ensure bids are received in time to be considered by the Programme Board - APPLICANTS MUST:

1. Submit their bids for internal approval by WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL 2019, at the latest.

2. Email their fully completed, approved and authorised applications to SASDevelopment@nes.scot.nhs.uk no later than WEDNESDAY 17TH APRIL 2019.

Please remember applications can be submitted AT ANY TIME, and we strongly recommend that you do not leave it until the closing date.

• Application form
• Mandatory E&D Monitoring Form
• Backfill funding cost form
• Appendix 2 - Checklist for CESR/Top-Up training
• Appendix 3 - Checklist for Non CESR training (experiential training)
• Top Tips for Applicants

Future Funding panels will meet on the following dates: July 2019 (date TBC), October 2019 (date TBC)

PLEASE NOTE

Applicants must contact their local SAS Education Adviser prior to application submission, for relevant advice and guidance. If you are unsure who your local EA is, please contact SASDevelopment@nes.scot.nhs.uk

Applicants will require approval from their Head of Service/Clinical Director and their Director of Medical Education before their application can be considered.