SuppoRTT CPD Funding Guidance
Introduction
The NHSE Yorkshire and the Humber Deanery recognises the more generic return to training activities provided by the Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT) programme may not meet the needs of every postgraduate doctor, dentist or public health practitioner returning to training (from here on referred to as 'PGDiTs' for brevity).
In response, SuppoRTT provides Continuous Professional Development (CPD) funding for bespoke courses and/or events that will support PGDiT with regaining confidence and refreshing clinical skills for a successful return to training and clinical working.
This guidance provides information about the availability of SuppoRTT 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 outlined in this guidance.
Eligibility to apply for funding
Funding is only available to PGDiTs who are out of training for more than three months and for courses/events taking place within the six months before, or three the three months after their return to training date
In exceptional circumstances (for example, OOPRs who have been out of training for 3-4 years), the SuppoRTT Associate Deans may provide discretionary approval for activity outside these timeframes on a case-by-case basis.
All PGDiTs requesting SuppoRTT CPD Funding must have discussed the intended activity with their appropriate Educator/Supervisor to ensure it is appropriate for funding and to meet the PGDiT's needs, and this discussion must be documented on the SuppoRTT CPD Funding Request form.
Activities eligible for funding
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 is a non-exhaustive list of examples of previously funded activities:
- British Society of Neuroradiologists Stroke Imaging Study Day
- European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Annual Conference
- GP Red Whale Update Together
- Infomed Online Gynaecology MRI course
- Royal College of Anaesthetists Giving Anaesthetics Safely Again Course
- Royal College of Emergency Medicine Clinical Toxicology Course
SuppoRTT CPD Funding cannot be used for courses which:
- Are deemed to be career enhancing
- May provide you with 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 non-exhaustive examples of activities that have not been awarded funding as they are ineligible:
- Baby Lifeline Training Advanced Cardiotocography Masterclass
- East of England (EoE) Advanced Histopathology Course
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health Diploma
- iSC Medical Consultant Interview Skills
- Royal College of General Practitioners AKT Preparation Course
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
SuppoRTT CPD Funding can be used for an activity's registration/booking fee and, where the activity is face-to-face, it may be used for travel, accommodation, and subsistence.
You will be required to provide accurate estimated costings as part of your application which must adhere to the reimbursable limits specified within our regional operational guidance for Study Leave. We strongly recommend you read the Expense Allowances’ section of the Yorkshire and Humber Operational Study Leave Guidance when preparing your application to ensure your funding request does not exceed these allowances as funding will only be approved within the nationally agreed rates for travel and subsistence.
We will approve and reimburse expenditure relating to the activity only. Discussions regarding salaries should take place with the PGDiT’s employing Trust.
There is not a prescriptive maximum amount of SuppoRTT CPD Funding that can be awarded to a PGDiT during a single absence or the duration of their training programme. However, we monitor applications and reserve the right to decline applications where a PGDiT has already received a significant amount of funding to ensure equity.
Application process
Before applying, you must discuss your proposed activity with your educator/supervisor to ensure it is appropriate for SuppoRTT CPD Funding and that it will meet your needs for preparing to return to training. You will be asked to confirm they have provided support and to provide details of your discussion within the application form.
Submission of a SuppoRTT CPD Funding application does not guarantee you will be awarded funding. Owing to this, you must not book onto any activity until you have received an outcome decision. We endeavour to review all applications and provide an outcome via email within ten working days of the submission date. You must submit your application form at least four weeks in advance of your chosen activity's start date. This will ensure you receive an outcome decision in plenty of time to book the activity. Applications submitted less than four weeks in advance are not guaranteed to be reviewed in time for attendance.
If approved, your application outcome will also confirm the amount of funding you have been awarded.
Applications must be submitted via our online SuppoRTT CPD Funding Request Form.
Payment and reimbursement
If awarded funding, you will need to pay for the activity directly, as well as any associated travel or accommodation. These costs will be reimbursed to you after you have attended the activity.
You will be sent a supplier letterhead document alongside your application outcome which requests payment information and allows us to add you to the NHS England finance system in advance of your need to be reimbursed. The completed document must be returned to the SuppoRTT team as soon as possible to prevent any later delays in your reimbursement.
You will also be sent a SuppoRTT CPD Invoice template for you to specify all expense costs to be reclaimed. Your invoice must be submitted within six weeks of the activity date and must be supported with the following to be eligible for payment:
- Copies of receipts, booking confirmations and/or confirmation of payment for the invoiced expenses
- Evidence of your attendance at the activity (i.e. Certificate of Attendance)
We reserve the right to withdraw funding where your claim is not submitted within the specified timeframe and/or the required supporting documents are not provided.
Costs will only be reimbursed in adherence with the expense limits set out in the ‘Travel and Subsistence Allowance’ section of the Yorkshire and Humber Operational Study Leave Guidance. Any costs which exceed the maximum rates allowable shall not be reimbursed.
Where your invoice requests reimbursement for expenses that were not included in your original application and funding award, we reserve the right to decline to pay the additional costs. If you anticipate your costs will exceed your funding award, you should contact the SuppoRTT team in advance of the activity to seek advanced approval of the additional expense.
Upon receipt of the invoice and supporting documentation, the SuppoRTT team will record your expense claim and forward the invoice to NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) who will pay the invoice within 30 working days.
Activity Cancellation
Where an activity is cancelled by a provider with short notice, and the PGDiT has already incurred associated booking costs which are non-refundable, they should contact the SuppoRTT Team with proof of the cancellation and details of their expenditure.
There may be circumstances where a PGDiT registers for an activity but must cancel their booking at short notice due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances. In some scenarios, they may still be charged by the provider. Should this occur, PGDiTs are advised to contact the SuppoRTT Team with details of the charge incurred and reasons for cancellation, and the SuppoRTT Team will discuss reimbursement on a case-by-case basis. PGDiTs should be aware that should they cancel an activity at short notice without an appropriate reason, and it results in a charge from the provider, they may be personally liable for the cost.