Am I eligible to train less than full time?
Any trainee in a substantive HEE approved post can apply for less than full time training on the basis of the below criteria. Please note that trainees of any gender can apply for less than full time training.
If your eligibility is approved, this will be accommodated as soon as practically possible with regards to your proposed start date. Reasons for wishing to train less than full time have been nationally agreed upon and are divided into two categories (outlined below).
The needs of trainees in category 1 will always take priority. Applications in category 2 may be considered but approval will depend on the capacity of the specific training programme and availability of resources.
Category 1 – Those doctors in training with:
- Disability
- Ill health
- Responsibility for caring for children (men and women)
- Primary carer for ill/disabled partner, relative or other dependent
Category 2 - Those doctors in training with:
- Unique opportunities: A doctor in training is offered a unique opportunity for their own personal/professional development and this will affect their ability to train full-time (e.g. training for national/international sporting events or a short-term extraordinary responsibility such as membership of a national committee or continuing medical research as a bridge to progression in integrated academic training).
- Religious commitment: A doctor in training has a religious commitment that involves training for a particular role and requires a specific time commitment resulting in the need to work less than full- time.
- Non-medical development: A doctor in training is offered non-medical professional development (e.g. management courses, law courses or fine arts courses) that requires a specific time commitment resulting in the need to work less than full-time.
- Other well-founded reasons may be considered by the Postgraduate Dean in consultation with the GMC, but support will be dependent on the capacity of the programme and available resources as well as compliance with European legislation relating to CCT requirements.
Category 3
LTFT is being offered to trainees without a category 1 or 2 reason as part of the Enhancing Working Lives Project. It is being rolled out by specialty having been piloted first in Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Details can be found here
LTFT Category 3 Guidance Presentation
LTFT Category 3 expansion FAQs - Trainees
LTFT Category 3 expansion FAQs - Providers
LTFT Category 3 FAQ - General - March 2022
Flexibility in training and Covid LTFT category 3 fast track - August 2021
LTFT Category 3 expansion presentation fast track - August 2021
LTFT Category 3 national project guidance - fast track - August 2022
LTFT Category 3 All Specialties Guidance - March 2022
How do I apply to train less than full time?
Whilst there are some extenuating circumstances and emergency situations, new LTFT training applications must be submitted a minimum of 16 weeks in advance of the trainees planned start date.
To apply for LTFT training please read the guidance then fill out the application form and send to the relevant inbox, shown below, along with any required supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation:
Category 1:
- Health based application: GP letter/hospital letter/occupational health report
- Caring for relatives: A letter from your relative’s GP or Hospital confirming their needs
Category 2:
Documentation that will substantiate your application e.g. course information, sporting requirements and timetables
It is advised you discuss your LTFT application with your Training Programme Director.
Please note that if you are on a Tier 2/skilled worker visa, then your annual income, following the LTFT approval, excluding banding and on calls needs to satisfy the UK Border Agency Thresholds. Further information can be gained from the Sponsorship team https://www.yorksandhumberdeanery.nhs.uk/tier_2. You can use the LTFT calculator to confirm if you will be eligible for LTFT.
LTFT calculator - https://forms.office.com/r/Dk3wAFwYkh
Please ensure all forms are submitted electronically to the correct LTFT mailbox with all mandatory fields marked with a red asterisk (*) completed
ALL Foundation Trainees
LTFTEast.yh@hee.nhs.uk (Hull Office)
HEE, Health House, Grange Park Lane, Willerby, Hull, HU10 6DT
West Trainees
LTFTWest.yh@hee.nhs.uk (Leeds Office)
HEE, Blenheim House, Duncombe St, Leeds LS1 4PL
South Trainees
LTFTSouth.yh@hee.nhs.uk (Sheffield Office)
HEE, Don Valley House, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ
North/East Yorkshire Trainees
LTFTEast.yh@hee.nhs.uk (Hull Office)
HEE, Health House, Grange Park Lane, Willerby, Hull, HU10 6DT
You are not eligible to commence LTFT training until you have received written HEE approval and your employer have been informed accordingly.
GMC position statement: Conditions for less than full-time training
This statement sets conditions for doctors in less than full-time (LTFT) training who are working towards a certificate of completion of training (CCT). It should be read with other legal obligations, for example the Equality Act 2010.
At what percentage of full time can I work?
LTFT training in HEEYH is normally supported in placements at 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of full-time contracts. However other patterns of work can be supported if <50%
Day time working, on call and out of hours work should be undertaken on a basis pro-rata to full time trainees in the same grade and specialty. Trainees will either slot share or occupy a full time slot dependant on the capacity of the programme.
Should a trainee wish to train at a percentage other than 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% this will require written support from the TPD. Trainees must submit their request in writing to the local HEEYH LTFT Administrator.
If a trainee wishes to train at <50% then this will need approval from the Deputy Dean responsible for LTFT. The application should be forwarded to the Local HEEYH Administrator.
The GMC Postgraduate Board have issued a position statement determining that trainees will be required to undertake no less than 50% of full-time training. For the small number of trainees who experience exceptional difficulties, it has been agreed that Postgraduate Deans should have flexibility to reduce the time requirement further. The absolute minimum would be 20% of full-time training, with an expectation that trainees should not undertake a placement at this level for more than 12 months.
I'm a GP Trainee, how do I apply?
You can apply for GP LTFT training using this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=K5Gn_5ewMUGcD9DoB1WyqwgvSOzDVD9Pn78rrOC8-J5UOU8yMDJJNkYzU1RKWlhCWVhNOFFZSjhaWSQlQCN0PWcu
Will working LTFT effect my CCT date?
Yes, in most cases your CCT date will be extended. If you work at 60% a 12 month year becomes 20 months long for example, and 80% will cause a 12 month year to become 15 months long. For specific details of how this works in your specialty, please liaise with your Training Programme Director or Educational Supervisor.
A table detailing how long your training will be extended by can be found here
Can I appeal against HEE’s decision not to allow me access to apply for LTFT Training?
Yes, though it is recommended that you first attempt to resolve any issues informally in discussion with HEE. If agreement cannot be reached you may then wish to utilise the formal appeals process. The Appeals Process can be found documented at the bottom of this web page.
Can I work part time in another job whilst training less than full time?
LTFT trainees may now do additional paid work, including locums. This will not count towards their training time and must comply with the terms of their contract.
The trainee should not feel pressurised to do additional work
If the trainee chooses to work additional hours, they should be paid for them
Additional work will form part of their practice, so they must declare it on their Form R.
The trainee has a professional duty to maintain patient safety and a healthy work/life balance
If the trainee is noted to be doing an excessive number of shifts, their eligibility for LTFT training may be questioned.
Any work undertake outside training should not impact negatively on training and must be done so in accordance to Good Medical Practice .
Guidance is available here https://www.copmed.org.uk/images/docs/publications/Guidance_on_Undertaking_Additional_Work_.pdf
Any work undertaken outside of training must be declared via submission of Form R.
What support is available at my Local Education provider?
You can get support from your Clinical Supervisor, Educational Supervisor and your peers. In addition, if needed, LTFT champions are senior points of contact in LEPs and they can advise and assist on behalf of current and potential LTFT trainees.
Can I choose my days? And will my days stay the same?
LTFT trainees have no right to choose their days ‘off’ and the days will remain the same. The work schedule should be arranged with the trainee’s supervisor and employers to arrange sessions around MDT and training requirements. The Trust Champion of Flexible Working can help adjudicate this.
Can I undertake my Period of Grace (POG) on a LTFT basis?
The standard Period of Grace is six calendar months following the date of CCT/CESR (CP). There is no pro-rata modification for Less Than Full Time (LTFT) doctors in training.
In exceptional circumstances the Postgraduate Dean (PGD) or Postgraduate Dental Dean (PGDD) may agree to extend the Period of Grace up to a maximum total of twelve calendar months. To do this, the doctor in training must gain the support of their Training Programme Director (TPD) and then write to the PGD/PGDD within the normal timeframe for requesting a Period of Grace.