SuppoRTT CPD Funding

This guidance provides information about the availability of Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Funding, including details of the eligibility criteria and application process.

This guidance should be read in full before submitting a funding application. Funding requests will only be approved if they comply with the conditions of this guidance.

Please note, for the sake of brevity, the term ‘PGDiT’ is used to refer to postgraduate Doctors, Dentists and Public Health Registrars in training.

Introduction

The NHSE Yorksire and Humber Deanery recognises the generic return to training activities provided via the SuppoRTT programme may not meet the needs of every PGDiT. In response, SuppoRTT provide access to CPD funding so PGDiTs can access bespoke courses and/or events that will help them regain confidence and refresh previously aquired skills to support a successful return to training and clinical working.

Eligibility to apply for funding

Funding is only available for courses/events taking place within six months of the PGDiT’s return to training date and up to three months after. In exceptional circumstances, for example, OOPRs who have been out of training for 3-4 years, if the course/activity does not fall between these periods then approval by the SuppoRTT Associate Deans will be required.

All PGDiTs requesting SuppoRTT CPD Funding must have discussed the intended course / event with their appropriate Educator/Supervisor and this discussion must be documented on the SuppoRTT CPD Funding Request form.

Eligible activities

Funding requests must be for activities that support your return to training. This includes, but is not limited to:

Courses which support you to refresh your knowledge of, and confidence in using, clinical skills
Courses, conferences and/or symposia which provide clinical updates for your specialty
Access to eLearning resources and/or courses that support you to refresh your clinical knowledge

The following are examples of activities from past applications which have been awarded funded by SuppoRTT:

SuppoRTT CPD Funding cannot be used for courses which:

are deemed to be career enhancing
may provide an advantage over PGDiTs who have not taken time out of training and may relate to becoming an advanced practitioner, including masterclasses
include elements of exam revision and/or preparation
primarily include content that is a mandatory part of the PGDiTs training programme and/or curriculum
relate to Life Support certifications, including ALS, APLS, NLS and ATLS; instead, funding for such courses should be sought from the Specialty School or employing trust

The following are examples of activities from past applications which have not been awarded SuppoRTT CPD Funding as they are ineligible:

East of England (EoE) Histopathology Day
Advanced CTG Masterclasses

If you wish to request funding for a course relating to your registered sub-specialty, your application will be reviewed and a decision made on a case-by-case basis utilising the same principles for courses which are not funded as standard. This includes consideration of whether the activity is appropriate in supporting your return to training, if it meets the generic needs of the sub-specialty curriculum and if it focuses on a nuanced aspect of the sub-specialty curriculum.

Available Funding

NHSEYH will reimburse expenditure relating to the course/event only. Discussions regarding salaries are to take place with the PGDiT’s employing Trust.

Application process

The SuppoRTT Team will confirm the outcome of the request. If approved, the PGDiT can proceed to book their place.

Submission of a CPD funding request form does not guarantee that funding will be approved. Therefore, it is mandatory that CPD funding request forms are received by the SuppoRTT Team prior to the PGDiT booking their place to attend any event / course. You can expect to receive a response to your CPD Funding Request within two weeks of submitting your form.

Payment and reimbursement

The PGDiT is expected to pay for the course/event directly*, and any associated travel or accommodation costs. Upon approval of a CPD Funding request, a supplier letterhead document will be sent to the PGDiT which will enable the SuppoRTT team to add the PGDiT to the financial system in advance of the need for reimbursement. The completed document must be returned to the SuppoRTT team as soon as possible to prevent any delays with payment. A template invoice will also be sent to the PGDiT and following the attendance of the event, the PGDiT should complete and return the template to the SuppoRTT Team at: england.suppo-rtt.yh@nhs.net.

*Where exceptional circumstances exist, a discussion with the SuppoRTT Team should take place well in advance of the event to identify alternative arrangements for payment.

All claims must include all relevant receipts /confirmation of booking, and confirmation of attendance at the event / course. All claims must be received within 30 days of the course taking place unless otherwise agreed with the SuppoRTT Team. Where a claim is submitted outside of this time frame, we reserve the right to withdraw the funding.

In addition to the attendance fee, SuppoRTT will fund travel, accommodation, and subsistence, where it complies with the local operational guidance for Study Leave. PGDiTs are advised to read the ‘Travel and Subsistence Allowance’ section of the Study Leave guidance prior to booking any accommodation or travel, to ensure that it does not exceed the expense limits we will reimburse. The most up to date version of the NHSEYH Operational Study Leave Guidance can be found on our website.

The PGDiT will receive confirmation the claim has been processed and will be reimbursed directly within a 30-working day period.

Support

Please don't hesitate to contact the SuppoRTT Team if you have any queries about the SuppoRTT CPD Funding Process.