Emergency Medicine Specialty and Specialist Doctors (EMSAS) Update

EMSAS Chair’s Blog – Dr Jocelyn Brittliff – March 2025

This month I have asked our two new Co-Vice Chairs to introduce themselves.
I am looking forward to working with them. We are still looking for some new regional reps (please see last month’s blog).

The May study is open for booking. The programme is a work in progress, but we have some sessions on civility and non-clinical skills planned, as well as a talk from an inspirational SAS doctor to end the day.

Dr Mark Feenan, Co-Vice Chair EMSAS
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as one of the new Co-Vice Chairs of the Emergency Medicine Specialty and Specialists (EMSAS) committee. This committee represents all Specialty and Specialists in EM along with those who still hold the older job titles of Staff Grade and Associate Specialists. We also advocate for all those doctors who are not in a consultant role or in a formal training scheme. It is an honour to have been considered and selected for this role and I will endeavour to continue to work to support SAS doctors working in Emergency Medicine.

Currently, I am employed as an Associate Specialist in EM at Craigavon Area Hospital. This is a busy DGH in the Southern Trust in Northern Ireland. I have worked in EM since 2006 after a brief stint in Acute Medicine. Over this period I have witnessed the increasing burden on EM and how my colleagues, like you, continue to strive to deliver high quality emergency care in the face of these difficulties. I am a strong advocate for developing pathways and guidelines to ensure evidence based care of a consistently high level. As such I work closely with other specialties to develop good working relationships. I am an advocate of education and mentorship and have put together several programmes to deliver teaching and training to colleagues including doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals.

I have been an active member of EMSAS since before it was EMSAS. This committee previously existed as the Forum of Associate Specialists and Staff Grades in Emergency Medicine (FASSGEM) and it was my privilege to introduce HRH Princess Anne at our virtual conference in 2021 when she unveiled our ‘rebrand’. Prior to taking up the role of Vice Chair I was EMSAS Treasurer and before that EMSAS Representative for Northern Ireland. Over these years my deep seated belief that SAS doctors in EM, and indeed in any specialty, bring huge benefits to their departments has only grown stronger. I strive to ensure that is recognised both locally and nationally.

Like my fellow Co-Vice Chair Stuart, I am also active in the British Medical Association. I represent SAS doctors in my trusts’ Local Negotiating Committee (LNC) and regionally on the Northern Ireland SAS Committee (NISASC). I believe we, as SAS doctors, make up a significant proportion of the workforce and as such should have a voice and be heard.

I look forward to my tenure as Vice-Chair and working with Jocelyn, Stuart and all the other members of the EMSAS Committee. I would encourage you all to strongly consider joining us at our annual CPD conference in November in Cardiff. It’s a great opportunity to learn and meet with fellow SAS doctors in EM. Also look out for opportunities to join the EMSAS committee, you never know where that can take you!

Dr Stuart Strachan, Co-Vice Chair, RCEM EMSAS
I would like to introduce myself as one of the new Co-Vice Chairs of RCEM’s Emergency Medicine Specialty and Specialists (EMSAS) Committee. It is an honour to take on this role and contribute to the vital work we do in advocating for and supporting the SAS workforce within emergency medicine.
As a Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine working in NHS Lothian I, like you, recognise the immense challenges we face in delivering high quality emergency and urgent care on the backdrop of ever-increasing demand and workforce challenges.

Coming from a background as a Paramedic in the Scottish Ambulance Service I understand the importance of working within a diverse multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings. I am passionate about supporting the educational delivery to both postgraduate and undergraduate staff across all disciplines. This is part of my daily practice in my ED role and working as a Clinical Lecturer (Education Focused) for the Medical School at the University of St Andrews.

My experience as a Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellow, working with the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Scottish Government reinforced my commitment to quality leadership fostering a culture of empowerment for all staff. I currently serve as the Deputy Chair of the Scottish SAS Committee of the BMA and sit on both the Scottish Local negotiating Committee (LNC) and Lothian’s LNC. I am the Chief Medical Officer for the UK’s largest single-site independent school. These roles have deepened my passion for ensuring that all clinicians, particularly those in SAS roles, receive the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve.

In my work with EMSAS, and RCEM’s Scottish Board, I aim to strengthen our advocacy efforts, expand professional development opportunities, and foster a supportive and inclusive environment for SAS doctors. I am particularly passionate about mentorship, talent development, and providing an environment for individuals to be empowered to find their purpose through open communication and leadership support.

I look forward to working alongside you all, learning from your experiences, and collaborating to drive meaningful progress for our specialty. Please feel free to get in touch for discussions, ideas, and shared efforts to improve our collective impact.

EMSAS Chair’s Blog – Dr Jocelyn Brittliff – February 2025

I have spent the last few weeks settling into my new role as EMSAS Chair. I have a great team of executives and representatives to work with and we have already met as a group a couple of times.

Our immediate past Chair Steve Black (pictured left with Jocelyn) has told me one of his favourite parts of the job is attending the diploma ceremony. Having attended my first one last week in Birmingham I can see why. It is a lovely occasion to celebrate everyone’s successes. It was fitting to be able to see Steve get a well-deserved college medal at that ceremony, for his services to EMSAS.
Meanwhile, it’s down to business.

As I said I have a great team around me to help, but we do have some vacancies, and I would encourage you all to consider these opportunities.
It’s a great way to have a voice for you and your colleagues, and one small step may open the door to other opportunities!

At the moment we need a new representative on the Careers and recruitment committee, as well as regional representatives for East Midlands, East of England, North East England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the channel islands. There may also be additional vacancies over the next few months.

If you want more information about getting involved please do get in touch!

And a reminder to save the dates if you haven’t already – Our Spring Meeting will be at Octavia House on Friday 9 May, and our conference this year is in Cardiff on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 November. Planning is underway for both events and you can register interest now.

Whilst both events will be hybrid do consider joining us in person if you are able.

Dr Jocelyn Brittliff
EMSAS Chair

EMSAS Chair’s Blog – Dr Jocelyn Brittliff – January 2025

Happy New Year!

I took over as EMSAS chair in December when Dr Immad Qureshi stepped down.
I would like to thank Immad for all he has done for SAS doctors in Emergency Medicine, not only as Chair but on many other Committees over the years. I am sure he will continue to be a great advocate for all SAS doctors and wish him well for the next stage of his career.

As for myself I have worked as a SAS-grade doctor in Emergency Medicine for over 20 years, based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. I have been involved with EMSAS for some time, as Scottish Rep, and Vice Chair. I also serve on the Sustainable Working Practices Committee.

I look forward to working with the rest of the EMSAS Executive and Representatives and I am excited to see what 2025 brings!

Dr Jocelyn Brittliff