Exceptions

Resident Doctors Out of Programme

Overview

Resident Doctors on Out of Programme Experience (OOPE), Out of Programme Research (OOPR), Out of Programme Career Break (OOPC) or Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) are not entitled to study leave for the period they are out of programme.  

In general Resident Doctors Out of Programme are not entitled to study leave per se UNLESS it supports their training and contributes to their CCT. They can use their Keep In Touch (KIT) days for this and need to ensure they liaise with their medical HR team as well as their PGME centre, so their requests are processed. 

Resident Doctors on Out of Programme Training (OOPT) are normally only entitled to study leave for this period if they are occupying a training post on a training programme. 

Applications for individuals on OOPT will only be approved and funded where there is clear evidence linking the application to the specific curriculum requirement (category 1 courses only). Where uncertain, this will be at the discretion of the ‘base’ Postgraduate Dean or delegated Responsible Officer(s). 

The employing Trust will be responsible for the OOPT Resident Doctor and all claims should be made to them. Their course attendance should be captured on the NHSE SW Study Leave Return. If issues are encountered the study leave teams will work across the Deaneries to resolve so Resident Doctors should contact them directly in these rare instances. Please send queries to england.studyleave.sw@nhs.net with a subject heading “OOPT payment query”.

Resident Doctors during times of prolonged leave such as sick leave are not eligible for study leave. 

It may be appropriate for Resident Doctors to access Supported Return To Training – ‘SuppoRTT’ funding/opportunities in preparation for returning from OOP/prolonged leave. Please contact your trust suppoRTT champion for further information. 

Academic Clinical Fellows & Lecturers (ACF & ACL)

Overview

Academic Clinical Fellows (ACF) and Academic Clinical Lecturers (ACL) may access study leave to support the clinical component of their training and are therefore entitled to study leave on a pro-rata basis, in line with their clinical work allocation.   ACFs and ACLs should apply for Study Leave Time from their employing organisation and in accordance with their policy.  To claim for Study Leave Funding the ACF/ACL will need to apply to NHSE SW attaching their Trust or employer application form requesting study leave time with the details of the course etc. The principles for reimbursement apply for ACFs and ACLs as required for all Resident Doctors. 

ACFs follow the same procedure for study leave as other Resident Doctors. 

ACLs are employed by a University and will need to email NHSE SW Study Leave Team (england.studyleave.sw@nhs.net) BEFORE any study leave is supported or reimbursed. Please use the subject heading “ACL Study Leave”. 

Foundation Resident Doctors

Overview

The legal requirements for study leave in the Foundation Programme (FP) are complex, as the arrangements for F1 and F2 doctors differ. 

The principle of study leave within the Foundation Programme (FP) is that professional leave or study leave should normally only be granted for the purposes of supporting the FP curriculum.  

For full guidance please refer to the appropriate Foundation webpage: 

• Peninsula Foundation School  
• Severn PGME Foundation School 

Primary Care Resident Doctors 

Primary Care Postgraduate doctors should refer to the following links: 

Peninsula: NHSE SW Primary Care Study Leave Guidance  
Severn: NHSE SW Primary Care Study Leave Guidance 

Resident Doctors claiming for Overseas courses should follow the same process as mentioned in this guidance.