Less Than Full Time Training (Flexible Training)
What do I do?
Please contact the LTFT administrator for an application form. If you are in General Practice training programme please click here for more information. If you are in Foundation Training please click here.
LTFT Administrator
Health Education England - East Midlands Office
Westbridge Place
1 Westbridge Close
Leicester LE3 5DR
Tel. 0116 478 8660
Email: ltft.em@hee.nhs.uk
Why do I need to contact HEE - EM?
LTFT training is part funded through HEE - EM and determined by the EU Directive as explained under eligibility. The Associate Dean is responsible for assessing your eligibility and will review your application form and contact you to discuss any issues, if required.
How do I obtain a Training Post?
Exactly the same way as a full timer, you apply in open competition for advertised training posts at a suitable grade for your experience. If applying through Pathway or an alternative national recruitment system, you are obliged to indicate your wish to train LTFT. You should have alerted HEE-EM and filled in an application form before the interview.
If you are already in a training post full time, and wish to train at less than full time within that post, you will not have to re-apply for training, but commence LTFT negotiations with your local HEE office (as above), your Educational Supervisors of your training, and the relevant Trust.
How long does it take?
The process could take 3 months, because of negotiations, approvals and consultations that have to be arranged. It is therefore in your interest to contact the relevant HEE office as soon as possible.
Is LTFT Training always available?
Training may only be offered if there are trainers and training experience available and the employing Trust agrees. There are sometimes difficulties with funding which may delay the commencement of a LTFT training post, particularly at points of re-entry into training.
We may ask you to co-operate with a slot-sharing arrangement. A trainee could be funded under supernumerary, part time in established post (reduced hours) or slot share arrangement (or even all 3 at different points in their training).
Who is Eligible for LTFT Training?
Those wishing to apply for less than full-time training must show that training on a full-time basis would not be practical for them for well-founded individual reasons. Health Education East Midlands support:
Category 1 Doctors in training with:
- disability
- ill health
(those who have health reasons will be required to attend an appointment with the HEE Occupational Health before being eligible for the Scheme)
- responsibility for caring for children (men and women)
- responsibility for caring for ill/disabled partner, relative or other dependant.
Category 2 Doctors in training with:
- unique opportunities for their own personal/professional development, e.g. training for national/international sporting events, courses that contribute to the wider curriculum delivered by Health Education East Midlands
- religious commitment - involving training for a particular role which requires a specific time commitment
- non-medical professional development such as management courses, law courses, fine arts courses, etc.
The scheme is open to those who have a training grade post.
Are there any other ways of working part-time?
If you are not eligible for LTFT training, you may consider finding a job-share partner with whom to apply for a full time post, but there would be no additional funds available and you would have to share the salary as well as the training. HEE-EM has no job-share scheme.
How is LTFT Training Paid?
TBC.
How is LTFT Training Funded?
For supernumerary posts, this is composed of a contribution from HEE-EM, which is governed nationally, and directly reflects the percentage at which you are working i.e. 0.5 to 0.8. Trusts have to meet the banding supplement costs which are seen as service elements, but finding the money can prove difficult and delay the onset of LTFT. Supernumerary posts are now exceptional and generally short-term.
HEE-EM is working with the Trusts to facilitate, where possible, a slot share arrangement whereby usually two flexible trainees can fill a full time post using the existing funding.
There are some situations where there are an excess number of trainees where the funding for a full time post is utilised for the LTFT trainee and no replacement for the lost service. Locally we designate this as part time in established post (PTEP), also known as reduced hours, and there are fewer funding implications, but the Trust has to be prepared to sustain the service loss/locum cost.
- Apply early to facilitate your application.
- Speak to those responsible for the training and seek their support (if applying for a post, once you have been successful at interview).
- Work with your Educational Supervisor/Training Programme Director/Director of School to complete the application form and educational approval process from the East Midlands HEE, and RoyalCollege of the hospital specialty (and GMC if supernumerary in a previously unapproved post).
- Inform HEE-EM of any changes in your plans e.g. dates, moves and at rotation once you have commenced LTFT.
- Check on the progress of your application with the HEE-EM office and respond speedily to the requests for confirmation of your plans.
- Complete the Change of Placement and Approval Form on rotation and apply for College approval as appropriate
- Will assist the trainee in finding a suitable placement.
- Will liaise with the Clinical Directors/HR departments in the Trust involved in the training programme to agree how LTFT can be accommodated.
- Will assist in developing an appropriate timetable/series of posts to be submitted for approval to HEE-EM, Royal College of the hospital specialty (and GMC if supernumerary in a previously unapproved post). Royal College mechanisms of approval may vary or change. These can involve the Regional College Adviser or a national mechanism. You may need to contact the College for current details.
- Will liaise with HEE-EM as appropriate.
See also FAQ's for managing LTFT within Training Programmes in the downloads below
- Keep in close contact with Training Programme Director/Director of School and HEE-EM.
- Work with Training Programme Directors on rotational placements of all trainees.
- Work with the HEE-EM regarding Out of Hours Supplement financing.
- To assess eligibility for LTFT training and discuss the application process.
- A named Postgraduate Assistant working with the Associate Postgraduate Dean (LTFT) will oversee the following process and may be contacted through the HEE-EM.
Please go to: www.eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/page.php?id=789 for further information.
- For GP STRs a Deputy GP Dean for LTFT may meet with you to assess eligibility and discuss the application process.
- They will liaise with local GP Specialty Training Programme to facilitate the process of obtaining the appropriate posts, both within Hospital and General Practice assisted by a GP VT Administrator.
- To provide application forms and information to the applicant.
- To monitor the progress of the application.
- Once received, to check that the application is complete and submit for Associate Postgraduate Dean's approval.
- To request funding from HEE-EM.
- To confirm the availability of funding for a start date.
- To inform the applicant when the process is complete, and the relevant Human Resources, that a LTFT contract may be issued.
