Medical Protection responds to the GMC’s 2026 SAS and LE survey results
Post date: 08/10/2026 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 08/10/2026
Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medical Director at Medical Protection, said:
“SAS and LE doctors are critical to the NHS, delivering specialist care to patients and playing a vital role in teaching, training and supporting colleagues. This data from the GMC shows that the simple decision to pursue a career path outside the traditional structure is leaving many SAS and LE doctors feeling alienated and isolated.
“We’re especially concerned to see that SAS and LE doctors who qualified overseas are reporting less positive experiences across the board, especially in light of recent reports of discrimination and racism faced by doctors. This represents a continuing pattern across the medical sector and more needs to be done to root out any and all discrimination with a zero-tolerance approach.
“Every doctor across the health service should feel supported when they encounter bullying and be confident that concerns are taken seriously and addressed appropriately. The fact over two-thirds of those who didn’t report incidents felt it wouldn’t make a difference is a damning indictment on the quality of welfare and lack of support that SAS and LE doctors feel. It points to a cultural issue that needs to be addressed urgently and highlights how they are falling through the gaps.”
ENDS
