With the recent establishment by the College of ‘Affiliate’ status for non-member psychiatrists and continuing professional development (CPD) for ‘non-training’ grades, we though it timely to open a debate on the role, status and needs of staff grade doctors in psychiatry. Many of the issues that need to be addressed are common to staff doctors in all specialities. Following a brief description of the grade and how it is being used at present we will focus on education needs and career progression, drawing on recent debate in the medical literature and our own experience as staff grade psychiatrists in the West of Scotland.