SAS Advocate Role, Boundaries and Confidentiality Handbook
HTML edition updated 9 September 2026. This is an educational planning aid, not an official application form or individual advice.
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SAS ADVOCATES | PRACTICAL RESOURCE
SAS Advocate Role, Boundaries and Confidentiality Handbook
A concise operating reference for safe, credible advocacy.
What this resource contains
Role and confidentiality prompts
Writing space for decisions or review
Independent source and boundary safeguards
Important
Independent general guidance. It does not replace clinical, employment, regulatory, immigration or legal advice. Do not include patient-identifiable or unnecessary colleague-identifiable information in worksheets.
Author: Dr N Aziz
Published and reviewed: 7 September 2026
Role boundary
The SAS Advocate supports, navigates, signposts and raises organisational themes. The role does not replace treatment, union representation, formal investigation or legal advice.
Role purpose
Accessible first contact
Active signposting
Organisational themes
Influence with senior leadership
Boundary check
Support versus management
Navigation versus representation
Theme reporting versus case disclosure
Advocacy versus investigation
Confidentiality protocol
Explain records before disclosure
Obtain consent where possible
Share minimum necessary information
Escalate serious risk proportionately
Manage dual roles and conflicts
Supervision and review
Protected time
Secure systems
Access to advice
Annual objectives
SAS doctor feedback
Succession planning
Source and confidentiality note
The role was developed through SAS contract reform. Local remit, coverage, line management and resources vary. Check the current joint BMA/NHS Employers SAS Advocate guidance and local agreement.
Confidentiality
Explain role, records, access, aggregate reporting and limits before inviting detailed disclosure. Do not include patient identifiers or case details that could identify a doctor through specialty, site, grade or timing.