The Society for Acute Medicine
The professional home for everyone working to improve the care of acutely unwell medical patients.
We bring together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, advanced practitioners, allied health professionals and others working across Acute Medicine. We support our community, help define the specialty and influence the systems in which acute care is delivered.
Who we are
SAM is the national professional society for Acute Medicine, representing and supporting the multidisciplinary community delivering acute medical care.
We bring together people working across Acute Medicine throughout the UK and beyond. Our membership spans every stage of a career and the professions that make Acute Medicine work — from students and resident doctors to consultants, nurses, pharmacists, advanced practitioners and allied health professionals.
What SAM does
Supporting you
- Education and professional development
- Conferences and events
- Mentoring and career support
- Wellbeing and community
- Networking and collaboration
Defining the specialty
- Setting standards and guidance
- Workforce and training
- SDEC, AMU and models of care
- Data, research and quality improvement
- Driving innovation in acute care
Influencing the system
- Advocacy and policy
- Working with Royal Colleges
- Collaborating with national bodies
- Media and public voice
- International partnerships
Our community
Acute Medicine is multidisciplinary by design. SAM brings together the professions, career stages and perspectives that make high-quality acute care possible.
Doctors
Supporting doctors across every career stage.
→Nursing
Championing nursing in Acute Medicine.
→Advanced Clinical Practitioners
Developing and representing advanced practice.
→Pharmacy Professionals
Supporting pharmacy professionals across acute care.
→Allied Health Professionals
Recognising and developing the breadth of AHP expertise.
→Physician Associates
Supporting colleagues working within defined roles.
→Healthcare Students
Welcoming the future Acute Medicine workforce.
→International Clinicians
Connecting and supporting colleagues from around the world.
→How we make a difference
SAM works across education, standards, improvement, research and advocacy to strengthen Acute Medicine and improve care for acutely unwell patients.
Standards & policy
Developing standards, guidance and policy that help define high-quality Acute Medicine and support services to deliver it.
Education & learning
Providing conferences, webinars, podcasts, skills training and professional development across the Acute Medicine community.
Data & improvement
Using benchmarking, quality improvement and better data to understand variation and support safer, more effective care.
Research
Supporting research priorities, collaboration and opportunities that build the evidence base for Acute Medicine.
Professional voice
Representing Acute Medicine with NHS organisations, professional bodies, policymakers and the media.
Community
Bringing together professionals, regions, career stages and specialties to share ideas, expertise and experience.
Led by people working in Acute Medicine
SAM is led by an elected and appointed Council drawn from across the Acute Medicine community.
Our leadership brings together people working across different professions, career stages and parts of the UK, helping ensure the Society remains connected to the realities of delivering acute care.
Meet the SAM Council →Our story
SAM was founded in 2000 as Acute Medicine and the Acute Medical Unit model were beginning to develop.
Since then, Acute Medicine has become an established specialty and SAM has grown alongside it — supporting its workforce, developing standards and helping shape the future of acute care.
Explore our history →A national voice with international connections
SAM represents Acute Medicine across the UK, working with healthcare organisations, professional bodies, policymakers and partners to influence how acute care develops. We also connect with colleagues and organisations internationally, sharing ideas, expertise and opportunities across borders.