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Frequently asked questions
After discussion with your Educational Supervisor (ES) or Training Programme Director (TPD), submit the LTFT Microsoft Form. All instructions are included in the form. This should be submitted >3 months prior to your proposed change of working.
This is the same form to return to full time training.
LTFT change of form August 2023.pptx
It is expected that the form is completed when you are applying to start working LTFT, and if you are changing LTFT percentage or returning to full-time training. Applications must be discussed with an Educational Supervisor or TPD before submission.
Key notes regarding applications:
LTFT training is open to all, and trainees are allowed to work a minimum of 50% of a full-time post to keep skills updated. Any reason is now valid, from lifestyle choices to health grounds. No requisite needed for occupational health records anymore.
Trainees on maternity leave can also send in applications.
If LTFT request is granted with less than 12 weeks’ notice to start of rotation, then the onus lies on the trainee to contact Medical Staffing and HR to confirm start date.
If applying to return to work outside normal changeover times, you may be placed in a vacant post pending rotation changeover date which is not necessarily one you would choose.
Trainees with <5 years NHS service:
60%: (27 AL + 8 BH) × 0.6 = 21 days/year
80%: (27 AL + 8 BH) × 0.8 = 28 days/year
Trainees with >5 years NHS service:
60%: (32 AL + 8 BH) × 0.6 = 24 days/year
80%: (32 AL + 8 BH) × 0.8 = 32 days/year
Note that if a bank holiday falls on a day that you are scheduled to work on a standard day, you may sometimes be expected to work depending on the department. If a bank holiday falls on a non-working day, your allocation of bank holidays will have been factored into your AL entitlement pro rata.
Also, if the bank holiday falls on a zero day/ non-working day, then this day is NOT subtracted from your leave allowance.
LTFT trainees take study leave pro rata, i.e. a trainee working 50% LTFT will have approximately half the study leave entitlement.
Study leaves may however fluctuate over the years, with more study leaves taken in one year than another year.
We recommend that LTFT trainees discuss their educational needs with their supervisors and have the desired courses agreed on in advance.
If you attend SL on an off day, you will be entitled to a lieu day.
There is a £1000 annual allowance for trainees under the 2016 pay system (excluding section 2 pay protection).
Useful links:
RCPCH Subscription Concession: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/form/apply-for-concession
You are paid by the Trust in which you work as they are your employer and so queries regarding pay must be directed to the Trust, usually medical staffing - if you have issues with your LTFT allowance not appearing on your payslip, please contact them first.
You will be expected to work a percentage of each shift type proportionate to your percentage working. In a slot share the fulltime night shifts are usually shared between you and colleague(s) and then you will each pick up some additional shifts elsewhere to make up your hours.
At any percentage working fixed days off will be dependent on need. Someone at 80% for childcare will likely need a fixed day off vs 80% for wellbeing. It is important to remember that whist you can expect fixed days off in your placement, the specific days are not guaranteed to be the same from post to post, as the needs of other trainees and service provision must be considered. There should be flexibility in these discussions when a trainee is rotating to a new trust to ensure adequate rota cover.
LTFT trainees should not be made to work into or any part of a fixed non-working day without prior discussion and agreement with the trainee.
Zero hours days are there to make the rota compliant and will not/do not need to be pro rata.
If you attend SL on an off day, you will be entitled to a lieu day.
For Paediatric Trainees in the West Midlands, LTFT trainees are expected to work on Wednesdays when there is the monthly protected teaching. Any exception should be discussed with the TPD for LTFT.
Useful Resources: - West Midlands Paediatrics Rota Guide: https://www.westmidlandspaediatrics.com/less-than-full-time - HEE Rota Flexibility Video: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/supporting-doctors-returning-training-after-time-out
Tier 2 visa holders can apply for LTFT if salary threshold is met. 51% WTE is generally sufficient even for ST1/2. For queries, contact: sponsorship@hee.nhs.uk or Dr. Helen Goodyear.
https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/less-than-full-time-ltft-training-for-imgs-in-the-uk/
Locums are permitted within department of primary work and supervision. Limit of 1–2 locum shifts/month recommended. Health-based LTFT trainees should avoid locum shifts. Exceptions must be discussed with Dr. Helen Goodyear.
West Midlands LTFT Policy: https://www.westmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/support/trainees/less-than-full-time-training
Points of contact:
Dr. Helen Goodyear – Associate Postgraduate Dean for LTFT Training Dr. Bridget Wilson – TPD for LTFT Juliana Oyeniyi – LTFT Trainee Committee Representative
In case of any queries, do get in touch with the WM LTFT trainee committee representative in the first instance and then TPD for LTFT and Associate dean for LTFT Dr Helen Goodyear.
Each trust should also have an LTFT Champion - they are Consultants who act as points of contact for issues regarding LTFT pay and rotas within your specific Trust. This will be found on the trust’s intranet page.
RCPCH has extensive documentation on LTFT and can be found on the link below:
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/less-full-time-training-ltft-guidance