Increasingly, doctors are seeking to train and work flexibly at varying stages in their careers. Training and working on a less than full time (LTFT) or flexible basis can help to achieve a better work life balance. However, this can be quite a daunting decision to make and the process of making a change is sometimes hampered by lack of information and help.
RCPSG is very aware of its responsibility to support and involve doctors who choose to work flexibly and in response, we have developed this area of our website to provide support and access to useful information including:
• Links to information on LTFT training-criteria, application process and deanery contacts;
• Links to other useful sources of information on LTFT training and working;
• Access to a network of individuals who are prepared to give advice and support to those considering training and/or working flexibly or less-than-full-time.
College will continue to develop this online network and we are also in the process of developing an online forum providing a resource that you can access when you have a question you are struggling to answer or if you just want to share your experience with others.
Further Information Links
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RCPSG Flexible Working Network
RCPSG are committed to supporting and assisting our Fellows and Members in any way we can. To help those training or working flexibly, we have gathered together a network of experienced clinicians from a variety of backgrounds who can give advice and support.
If you want some first hand advice on building a case, to find out more about the flexible options or just want to hear from someone who has been through the process, please download details of the network and contact information here.
If you wish to share your experience of flexible training or working and would like to join our network, please email your details to Lynsey Joyce (lynsey.joyce@rcpsg.ac.uk).
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UK Denary Contacts
Scotland
West - Dr Jean Reid, Associate PG Dean
Email jean.reid@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Tel 0141 330 6283
South East - Dr Jane Montgomery, Associate PG Dean
Email jane.montgomery@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Tel 0131 650 2824
East - Dr Carrie MacEwen, Associate PG Dean
Email carrie.macewen@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Tel 01382 632714
North - Dr John Hiscox, Associate PG Dean
Email john.hiscox@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Tel 01224-553970
England
Eastern Deanery www.eoedeanery.nhs.uk
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deanery www.kssdeanery.org
East Midlands Deanery www.eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk
London Deanery www.londondeanery.ac.uk
Mersey Deanery www.merseydeanery.nhs.uk
North Western Deanery www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk
South Central anery www.nesc.nhs.uk
Severn www.severninstitute.nhs.uk
South West Penninsula Deanery www.peninsuladeanery.nhs.uk
South Yorkshire & South Humberside Deanery www.syshdeanery.com
Yorkshire Deanery www.yorkshiredeanery.com
Wales - www.mmcwales.org
Nothern Ireland - www.nimdta.gov.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Frequently Asked Questions
What is “less than full time” training?
LTFT training is defined by European Law (EC directive 93/16/EEC) as being part-time training that involves a limitation in participation in medical activities but trainees must work at least half the time of a full-time trainee. It can be undertaken at any stage during training.
Who can train less than full time?
All trainees, both men and women, are eligible to apply for LTFT training. Those wishing to do so must show that they would be unable to train on a full-time basis for well-founded individual reasons (EC Directive 93/16/EEC). In most deaneries there is an associate dean who manages less than full time training and determines whether a trainee's request to train LTFT is well founded. If a trainee does not meet the eligibility criteria, the deanery may be able to offer careers advice or discuss alternative career pathways.
The only formal requirement to be permitted to train LTFT is a well-founded individual reason. Reasons for needing to train on a less than full time basis are put into two main categories by COPMeD, and these categories are used by the deaneries to assess eligibility.
Category 1
Doctors in training with:
- disability or ill health (this may include those on in-vitro fertility programmes)
- responsibility for caring (men and women) for children
- responsibility for caring for ill/disabled partner, relative or other dependant.
These result in the individual doctor or dentist being professionally disadvantaged by circumstances, and less able to fulfil their potential on a full-time rather than on a part-time basis.
Category 2
Doctors in training with:
- unique opportunities for their own personal/professional development, for example training for national/international sporting events, or short-term extraordinary responsibility, for example a national committee
- religious commitment – involving training for a particular religious role which requires a specific amount of time commitment
- non-medical professional development such as management courses, law courses, fine arts courses or diploma in complementary therapies.
Other well-founded reasons may be considered but it would be dependent on the particular situation and the needs of the specialty in which the individual was training.
Category 1 applicants have priority and deaneries will support all Category 1 applicants. In general, non-medical interests will be treated on their individual merits. Access to Category 2 is dependent on individual circumstances and the availability of funding. Where an application is refused by the deanery the applicant has a right of appeal.
How are less than full time trainees funded?
In most postgraduate deaneries the deanery pays all the basic salary but the out-of-hours supplement is the responsibility of the local Health Board or Trust. Many deaneries will only fund a 5 or 6 session post (50% or 60% of whole time) because of the demands of their budget.
Pay has two basic components - basic salary and supplement .
- Basic salary is determined by the actual hours worked by the less than full time trainee. This needs to be no more than the appropriate proportion of the actual hours worked by full-time trainees on the same rota.
- The supplement is determined on the basis of frequency and proportion of out-of -hours duties.
- The supplement is paid as a proportion of the basic salary determined by the actual hours worked.
For more details see the document Equitable Pay for Flexible Medical Training.
Will training LTFT involve job sharing?
For nearly all trainees working LTFT, sharing a slot on a training programme with another trainee at the same level if possible will be the norm in most deaneries. If two trainees share a training slot or three trainees share two slots, the deanery might consider funding an extra session for each trainee so they can work six sessions each and have some overlap, e.g. to attend departmental teaching.
What should you do if you wish to set up a LTFT training post?
The first step is to see your Associate Dean with responsibility for LTFT training (or Postgraduate Dean) to discuss your reasons for wishing to train flexibly and to ascertain whether funding will be available. Trainees may experience difficulties with obtaining LTFT placements because of financial constraints in the Trusts and deaneries may not be able to insist on placements. It might take some time to sort out a LTFT placement so the earlier you initiate arrangements with the deanery, the better.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommended Reading & Useful Documents
In June 2008, RCPSG hosted a conference entitled “The Future of the Medical Workforce” attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. Following the conference, we produced a formal report and action plan which was presented to the Scottish Government.
RCPSG Report: A Flexible and Functional Workforce;
RCPSG Suggested Action Plan;
Doctors in flexible training: A guide to the new arrangements for flexible training (PDF Format);
Doctors in flexible training: Principles underpinning the new arrangements for flexible training;
Doctors in Training: Equitable Pay;
"Women in Medicine: The Future" - Royal College of Physicians of London (Full Report);
"Women in Medicine: The Future" - Royal College of Physiciand of London (Executive Summary);
PMETB Approval of Flexible Training.
Partnership Information Network (PIN) - Family Friendly Policies
Guideline for trained doctors working flexibly
Flexible Retirement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Useful Weblinks