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Guidance for less than full-time trainees/return to training

This page gives information about returning to training at Royal Berkshire Hospital after a period of time out for any reason - and about training here on a less than full time basis. There is information about issues related to training, employment and sources of pastoral support.

Training Queries

Supported return to training – sources of information

Below are some key resources which may be useful when considering a supported return to training after a period of absence.

 

Less than full time training

NHS Workforce, Training and Education Thames Valley less than full time training email contact: england.ltft.tv@hee.nhs.uk.

Below are some key resources which may be useful when considering less than full time (LTFT) training

 

Study Leave

Guidance on study leave can be found here: Thames Valley guidance on study leave for doctors

RBFT Guidance on study leave can be found here: RBFT Study Leave Policy

 

Supported return to training paperwork

Documents and forms that may be useful:

 

Existing resources for LTFT/RTT trainees

Mentoring to support doctors returning to training:

Guidance on essential courses for particular specialities is available on this page: Information on study leave for doctors. Scroll down to the section on 'Essential/Desirable lists per speciality’ and expand this.

This Facebook group is for Thames Valley doctors returning to training: Thames Valley Doctors Returning to Training Facebook Group

Immersive Technology Resources - These virtual reality (VR) resources was developed by the SuppoRTT team in NHS England for doctors returning to training. Covering the topic of teamworking, 3 resources have been created to support training doctors specialising in medicine, surgery and paediatrics.

 

Contacts

Looking for information about medical and dental education within the Trust? You will find it on Workvivo here: Learning and Education (accessible once you have joined RBFT)

Dr Kate Dean and Dr Natalie Joyce, Consultant Elderly Care Physicians, are your Supported Return to Training / Less than Full Time Training Champions.

Our Guardian of Safe Working is currently Dr Jess Palmer. She can be contacted on jessica.palmer@royalberkshire.nhs.uk 

WTE Thames Valley contacts:

 

Employment Queries

Trust policies and forms

Please see the 'Policies and Protocols' section of Workvivo for information on policies relating to sickness absence, family leave, part-time and flexible working. Note that these policies are only accessible once you have an RBFT email address.

Guidance from on adjustments for parents returning to work while breastfeeding / expressing milk: Breastfeeding Factsheet

 

Contacts

Local negotiating committee chair: currently vacant

Contact details for local BMA Industrial Relations Officer: SFarooq@bma.org.uk

Head of Medical Workforce and Education: 0118 322 5605

Medical Workforce Advisor for Planned Care and Urgent Care: Champa Bhojappa champa.bhojappa@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Medical Workforce Advisor for Networked Care and Urgent Care: Nicholas Marks: nicholas.marks2@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

General Medical Workforce enquiries: medical.workforce@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Payroll: payroll@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

 

Pastoral Care

Where to find pastoral support

  • Occupational Health Department.
  • GP services: staff can access telephone (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year) or video (8am - 10pm every day except Christmas day) GP consultations for free by calling 0330 0430292. Please note that if a prescription is issued as a result this will be a private prescription.
  • Practitioner Health (PHP) unit which offers talking therapy and (if required) pharmaceutical treatment of mental health issues, up to six sessions. The majority can be done by Skype or similar so no need to travel to sessions. This can be accessed by trainees from any deanery and is entirely confidential. Practitioner Health NHS UK.
  • British Medical Association counselling service available 24/7 by phone or 'doctors for doctors' service which offers peer support / counselling. Similar advantages to the Practitioner Health offer. BMA Counselling Service. 0330 123 1245. BMA membership not required.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). This provides a free, confidential advice and support service to Trust staff covering issues such as legal, financial, consumer and family issues. It also provides up to six sessions of counselling support either via the telephone or face to face. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phone 0800 0305182 or contact via the website Employee Assistance Programme to register (explain you work for RBFT and want to access counselling via the Employee Assistance Programme) and they will arrange this.
  • Trust pastoral care service. Counselling style conversations provided by spiritual leaders within the Trust (but it's up to you whether the conversation covers religious content or not!).
  • Professional Support and Wellbeing Service Run by NHS Workforce, Training and Education Thames Valley. Coaching to help manage work related issues. Professional Support and Wellbeing Unit
  • Local psychologist (Alison Croft) for those within Oxford Deanery who can provide up to six sessions.
  • Samaritans confidential staff support line 0800 069 6222.
  • FRONTLINE text support service  85258.
  • There are currently several other sources of local and national support available to RBH staff. Please see the Workvivo Health and Wellbeing space for details.
  • There is an infant feeding room for Trust Staff to use when returning for maternity leave. It is located on Iffley Ward, Level 4 Maternity
  • Additional sources of support

 

Returning consultants/non-training grade doctors

Whilst there isn’t an official equivalent to the NHSE funded SuppoRTT scheme for non-training grade doctors, we recognise that doctors from this group also sometimes take time away from practice and might require support on return.

Therefore, at RBH, we aim to support non-training grade doctors (such as consultants and specialty doctors) returning to practice after a period of time away using a range of measures available nationally and locally.

 

Process

  • If the period of absence is planned: returning doctor (RD) informs clinical lead and HR of period of plans.
  • Consultant meets clinical lead:
    • Pre absence and pre return (approximately 8 weeks prior to planned return date).
    • Discussion regarding how best to support RD upon return - based upon AoMRC guidance (see link below).
    • BMA guidance might also be useful Returning to clinical practice after absence.
  • If the period of absence was unplanned HR will signpost the RD to this information as part of the return to work process. It may be useful as an adjunct to existing occupational health or other processes.

 

Support options

  • Coaching and mentoring (via TEC team or Learning Matters team)
    • Email Sue Anderson in the TEC or the Learning Matters team who will put you in touch with a consultant coach. Sue.anderson@royalberkshire.nhs.uk or learning.matters@royalberkshire.nhs.uk.
  • Consultant development course
    • Led by Jill Ablett (DME) jill.ablett@royalberkshire.nhs.uk.
  • SIM sessions (general / department specific)
    • ORSIM bronchoscopy simulator.
    • Royal College of Anaesthetists run a 'returning to work' course called GASagain.
  • Returning doctor ‘buddy’ scheme (peer to peer support from a recently returned doctor of a similar grade)
  • Please see the pastoral care section for relevant resources if required as many are available to doctors of all grades.

AoMRC guidance: AoMRC return to practice guidance.