The purpose of study leave is to enhance clinical education and training. It can be used to attend courses, acquire specialist skills or develop the necessary theoretical knowledge base. Specialist registrars receive either day release with pay and expenses for the equivalent of one day a week during University terms or leave with pay and expenses within a maximum calculation of 30 days in the year (the year for this purpose being counted from 1st October). For Palliative Medicine specialist registrars this is distributed between a half-day session each Wednesday morning and individual days at conferences and courses.
Each financial year (April to March), trainees will be allocated a notional study leave budget by the specialty study leave advisor (SSLA).
This represents the maximum costs for study leave in that year and any surplus cannot be carried over to the next leave year. Study leave is approved by the trainee’s educational supervisor and SSLA and will meet clearly defined educational objectives.
Trainees are encouraged to be involved in research projects. Currently, there is an active trainee research group, which meets one Wednesday each month. Within the region there are a number of industry-sponsored and in-house research projects.
Trainees wishing to gain a higher degree can be allowed to retain their
national training number for up to three years, but only one year can count towards the award of a CCT. A research supervisor is necessary to help guide research and provide advice on funding and obtaining grants.