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Regional Specialty Professional Advisers (RSPAs)
The RSPA is a Specialty Association Specialty appointment endorsed and ratified by the Royal College of Surgeons. It is one of two key roles in a partnership between the Specialty Associations and the College to create a unified voice for surgery locally and to provide advice and support on professional matters to surgeons in the workplace - see supporting surgeons in the workplace for further information.
The RSPA sits on the local Professional Affairs Board (PAB) which is chaired by the Director for Professional Affair (DPA). They support the work of the Board by a variety of core activities - providing specialty input into local NHS decision-making about service provision within the region, ensuring consistency and maintenance of standards through approval of consultant and specialty doctor job plans and providing professional advice and signposting for surgeons in difficulty. The formal role of the RSPA in revalidation is yet to be decided and may include advising surgeons on revalidation requirements and signposting appropriate sources of guidance and support. RSPA activities may differ slightly depending on regional / PAB priorities.
The nine SAC-defined Specialty Associations have appointed Regional Specialty Professional Advisers to the 10 SHA regions in England, and to Wales and Northern Ireland.
The following guidance is available:
Consultant job planning
- Guidance for Regional Specialty Professional Advisors on approving Job Descriptions
- Supporting Professional Activities (SPAs) Policy
- National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations: Good Practice Guidance 2005
- NHS guidance to Consultant Job Planning
- Department of Health on Locum Consultant Appointments
There is also a page on the College's role in the Consultant job plannnig process.
Associate Specialists and Specialty Doctors
Independent Sector Treatment Centres
