NIHR ACFs
The primary aim of an ACF is to undertake a PhD following on from the ACF post, usually undertaken as OOPR. If an individual leaves their ACF post to undertake a PhD Fellowship when granted OOPR, then the ACF post will finish, and they will return to clinical training following completion of the PhD Fellowship. Their clinical training will continue in run-through training in the GMC specialty in which the ACF post was advertised when they return to clinical training at the end of the PhD Fellowship. The NHSE local office will manage specialty training and run-through to CCT/CCST.
If other types of OOP are undertaken, during an ACF then normally the ACF will come to an end.
NIHR CLs
CLs may choose to apply to go on OOP; however, this will end their CL post, and the individual would re-join a clinical-only training programme on their return.