Less Than Full Time Training

 

You can download the full policy here

 

Introduction

The North Western Deanery fully endorses the principles set out in the NHS Employers document “Doctors in Flexible Training: Principles underpinning the new arrangements for flexible training”

The term “Flexible” has been replaced by “Less than Full-Time” to avoid confusion. “Flexible” implies that the trainee can elect when they wish to work whereas this will be determined by their training needs

Any trainee in a substantive deanery approved post can apply for less than full-time training and if they meet the eligibility criteria this will be accommodated as soon as practicably possible

 

Eligibility

Trainees of either sex can apply for less than full-time training, but must have well founded reasons why full-time training is impractical

There are two eligibility categories:

Category 1:  Those doctors in training with:-

  • A disability or ill health
  • Caring responsibilities for children up to and including the age of 16 (in line with “The Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2009”
  • Caring responsibilities for other dependents (spouse, parents etc.)

Category 2:   Those doctors in training with:-

  • Unique opportunities for personal/professional development not necessarily medically related

Category 1 will always take priority, but every effort will be made to accommodate Category 2 as well

You can access the online Eligibility Screening Form here.

Once eligibility is confirmed trainees will be sent the Less than Full-Time Training Approval Form and a Step by Step Guide to assist in it’s completion. Please note that for training approval LTFT trainees have to work a minimum of 50% (5 sessions) of the full-time equivalent although 60% is the norm.

 

Implementation

Whenever possible LTFT trainees will be placed in a slot share occupying a full-time post, with each partner working 60% (to both facilitate effective handover and enable each partner to benefit from the formal teaching programme).

If a slot share is not possible then working reduced hours in a full-time post will be considered. It is possible to work up to 80% (the maximum for LTFT training). On-call should be pro-rata; however if willing a LTFT trainee can do the full-time on-call providing the total hours worked do not exceed 40

Only if a slot share or reduced hours in a full-time post are impossible will a supernumerary post be considered. Where this is will be determined by the trainee’s educational requirements. Such posts are the most difficult to arrange as although the basic salary comes from the Deanery LTFT budget the host trust has to meet the banding cost. (N.B. for all LTFT trainees on-call banding is calculated individually and is based on actual hours worked, the proportion that are “anti-social”, and the work intensity - for more information, please see here)

 

Changing posts

It is essential that well before a LTFT trainee rotates the prospective new host trust is aware of their LTFT status and confirms that they will meet any associated additional cost. For this reason 3 months in advance of a move the LTFT Administrator should be contacted to request a LTFT Training Approval Form which must then be completed and returned as soon as possible following the Step by Step Guide. This process must be repeated for every move whilst the trainee remains LTFT and is the trainee’s responsibility


Day in the Life

Tessa Davis is an ST4 trainee, currently on maternity leave, and soon to return to work under the flexible training scheme: for her “day in the life” article, click here.

 

Representation and Support

LTFT trainees have an elected representative, currently Helen Dormand, who sits on the LTFT Advisory Group.

For any LTFT queries please contact  Rebecca Marland  0161 625 7637, or email LTFT@nwpgmd.nhs.uk. The Associate Dean for LTFT Training, Shirley Remington, ( s.remington@nwpgmd.nhs.uk ; telephone no. 0161 625 7639) will also happy to be contacted about any LTFT issues.

 

Less than Full-Time Training – GMC Position Statement, October 2011

 Less than full-time training - GMC position statement - 18 October 2011.pdf

 

Useful links

Equitable pay for flexible medical training

 

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