Out of Programme Policy.
Introduction
HEE offers Doctors in Training (DiT) the opportunity to take a planned period out of their training programme, subject to agreement of their Training Programme Director and Head of School.
There are six main types of time taken out of programme:
1. Out of Programme Training (OOPT): Time out of programme for approved clinical training in a post which has prospective approval from the GMC
2. Out of Programme Research (OOPR): Time out of programme for research
3. Out of Programme Experience (OOPE): Time out of programme for clinical experience in a post which will not count towards the award of a CCT
4. Out of Programme Career Break (OOPC): Time out of programme for a planned career break related to personal circumstances or other requirements.
5. Out of Programme Pause (OOPP): Time out of programme to undertake NHS work or similar patient facing work in the UK which can be assessed upon return and may count towards the award of a CCT.
To access the OOPP policy and the application process please click here.
6. Acting up as a Consultant (AUC): Time out of programme to act up as a consultant.
To access the AUC policy and the application process please click here.
Further information on taking time out of programme is available in the Gold Guide which you can access here.
Application process
Prior to applying, the DiT should discuss their plans with the Training Programme Director at least six months in advance of the proposed start date.
A fully completed application form must be completed (plus the JRCPTB Form if you are a member of a medicine training programme).
The Postgraduate Dean has delegated responsibility for approving the application to the Head of School.
If supported the DiT will receive formal notification via the HEE SW Education Programme Team.
Where out of programme time is to be counted towards training, Royal College support and prospective GMC approval are required.
College Support
Approval from the appropriate Royal College/Faculty may be required, please contact the relevant College to ascertain requirements and comply accordingly. If you have any queries regarding the College out of programme process, please liaise with them direct.
GMC Prospective Approval
The General Medical Council (GMC) is the only body that can educationally approve OOPT/R to count towards the award of a CCT
If the out of programme post is in a GMC approved location for training and in the same specialty that you are working towards for a CCT in, then further approval is not needed. However, if the out of programme post isn’t in a location approved for training, or is in a different specialty, approval is needed. Please see GMC Programme and Site Approvals for further details.
If your OOP site(s) is not on this list for your specialty, please contact the relevant Education Programme Manager. HEE is required to submit an application for prospective GMC approval for any OOP that is to count towards a CCT on behalf of the doctor in training and this application is required to include support from the relevant College/Faculty. If prospective approval for OOP is not sought from the GMC, then it cannot count towards a CCT. Applications must be submitted to the GMC in advance of the OOPR/T as they will not approve applications retrospectively.
Requesting an Extension
The DiT should discuss their plans for extending the OOP with the Training Programme Director at least six months in advance of the original end date. The DiT will need to self-certify as part of the application process that they have discussed their plans with their Training Programme Director, and they are supportive of the extension.
A fully completed application form to request an extension must be completed.
The Postgraduate Dean has delegated responsibility for approving the application to the Head of School.
If supported the DiT will receive formal notification via the HEE SW Education Programme Team.
What happens if the application is not supported?
If the application is not supported by either the Training Programme Director or Head of School then the DiT should initially meet to discuss the reasons for that decision. If the DiT is not satisfied with the reasons they have the right of appeal which will be considered by the Deputy Postgraduate Dean.
The DiT should e-mail traineeinformation.sw@hee.nhs.ukwith details of their application and why they feel the decision to decline the OOP should be reconsidered.
Reasons why the OOP may be declined
Whilst HEE is supportive of DiT taking time out of programme there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration. This includes but is not limited to:
- OOP will not normally be agreed until the DiT has been in training for at least one year
- OOP for core DiT are likely to be exceptional given the length and nature of training
- DiT not on an outcome 1 (satisfactory progress) will need to evidence that the period on OOP will enable them to evidence the competencies / capabilities to be achieved and will require the support of the Deputy Postgraduate Dean
- There may be limits on the number of OOPs permitted on a training programme and also the length of OOP. Please refer top the Gold Guide for further information.
- The ability of the programme to fill the resulting gap in the interests of patient care and the impact to others on the training programme
Employment / Contractual Issues
Whilst on OOP the DiT will ‘step off’ the training programme and the employment will change to the host institution; however the Postgraduate Dean will remain the Responsible Officer and the DiT must retain their licence to practice.
It is the responsibility of the DiT to establish how the OOP will affect their:
Continuous employment
- Salary progression
- Statutory leave entitlements
- Superannuation
The DiT should refer to the study leave policy to establish their entitlement
The DiT should refer to the relocation policy to establish their entitlement for relocation and excess mileage expenses.
A DiT on a Skilled or Tier 2 visa should refer to the HEE OOP guidance for Skilled / Tier 2 sponsored doctors
| Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Revalidation Guidance for Trainees who are Out of Programme (OOP) | |
| docx, 82 KB | OOP Application Form |