Approval of Individual Training Programmes for Flexible Trainees (SpRs)

Application for recognition of flexible training (Word document 14k)

All Flexible Specialist Registrars (SpRs) should be training with a National Training Number within the 'envelope' of an approved programme. In large centres it may be possible for job shares to be arranged but this requires local knowledge and organisation. How the flexible training is managed is a matter for local arrangements, but any plans for flexible training (or job shares) must be agreed with the Flexible Dean and the Programme Director(s).

For training purposes, these SpRs are not considered to be supernumerary to the programme. The replacement of any flexible SpRs is for the consideration of the Deanery and the Programme Director.

It has been agreed that the mechanisms for seeking approval for a flexible SpR programme for a named individual will be as follows. Appointment procedures and funding to be agreed locally - as now:

1. From whole-time to flexible:

   a) Where there are sufficient existing educationally approved slots for flexible SpRs, JRCPTB require a proposed timetable, the start date of flexible training and a current CV. An Application for recognition of flexible training, which includes a timetable, is sent to all SpRs with their enrolment form with JRCPTB. A further copy is included in the Section 4 of the Training Record. This document provides the necessary personal details for JRCPTB.

   b) Both SACs (if dual certification sought) will be asked to review the timetable to ensure that a balance is achieved. This is particularly important where the training is being undertaken concurrently. Timetables should identify if a clinic/ward round is for a specialty or General (Internal) Medicine.

   c) JRCPTB will then consider the proposed training programme and give credit according to the number of paid sessions worked.

   d) If there are no existing educationally approved slots because (for example) the hospital has not been included in the programme before, the Programme Director will:

   i. Complete a new Programme Outline Form (generic document) showing the revision to the overall programme
   
   ii. The Educational Supervisor (if not the Programme Director)will complete a Quality Management of Specialty Training Form which is specialty specific) outlining the training opportunities in the hospital/slot, and return this to the Programme Director who will submit both forms to the JRCPTB for approval.

2. Where an SpR wishes to train flexibly from commencement of higher training:
   
   a) It is unlikely that a 5-year training programme can be flexibly mapped out for a SpR at the commencement of higher training. Further maternity leave or research opportunities will change the best laid training plans. However, in most cases a flexible SpR will commence their training in an existing approved slot. JRCPTB will require the SpR to enrol (as now) and to receive a copy of the timetable (see 1a). This is particularly important if the trainee is seeking dual certification. As long as the SpR continues to train in existing educationally approved slots, timetables and current CVs is all that will be required by JRCPTB.
   
   b) Where the flexible SpR is required, or wishes, to move into a new slot not currently approved by JRCPTB the procedures for Forms A and B, as outlined above in 1 d) (i) and (ii) should be followed.

3. If a flexible post follows a period of maternity leave, the SpR must decide on return to training if they want to use the 3 month out of programme allowance and provide JRCPTB with full dates of maternity leave.

All approved amendments to the programme will be recorded by the JRCPTB in the Programme Database and in the individual SpRs record. Approval of new slots will be confirmed to the Programme Director and the Regional Postgraduate Dean.

How To Calculate Flexible Training

• Check the date that the trainee started their first Higher Medical Training post.
• Check the date of the entry qualification. If this is later than the start of the first HMT post then start counting from here
• Count the whole time training (if any).
• Stop at beginning of maternity leave (if applicable).
• Start at return to clinical training.
• Use the following calculation to convert calendar time completed to flexible training completed:
  
  Trainee starts at 1/1/00 - 31/12/00 (ie 12 months) at 60%
  (12 x 6) therefore 12 x 6 = 72 and 72 ¸ 10 = 7.2 so the trainee will have completed 7.2 months whole time equivalent.
  
  To work out the time left to complete when training flexibly use the following calculation:
  
  Trainee has 14 months to complete at 70%
  (14 x 10) ¸ 7 therefore 14 x 10 = 140 and 140 ¸ 7 = 20 so the trainee has 20 months whole time equivalent to complete.
• If the trainee wishes to claim the permitted 3 months maternity/sick leave (this is optional) you should subtract this at the end of the calculation. This allowance can only be claimed once during Higher Medical Training.
  
• If the trainee was training flexibly at the time that they commenced maternity leave then the 3 month allowance may be adjusted to reflect this. For example, a trainee working at 60% before taking maternity leave would be entitled to 5 months (Whole Time Equivalent) allowance before their CCT date required adjusting.

An example:

Dr S Farnsbarns training in Palliative Medicine (4 year programme)

JRCPTB
22/02/07