Out of Programme
- Details
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Please ensure you read all of this page
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Section for further information on Out of Programme.
This guidance applies to all trainees at Core Training (CT), Specialist Training (ST) and Specialist Registrar (SpR) level wishing to take time Out of Programme (OOP).
There are four categories of OOP:
OOP for Clinical Experience (OOPE)
OOP for Clinical Training (OOPT)
OOP for Clinical Research (OOPR)
OOP for Career Break (OOPC)
Trainees can also apply for an extension to OOP.
The Mersey Deanery now has a single OOP Applicaion Form that replaces its pre-existing four forms. This form can be found in Section 3, but please ensure you read Section 2: Principles before completing.
The new form is self explanatory; containing a checklist for applicants to ensure the necessary documentation is submitted to assist with the application process.
This form contains information on the additional requirements that some of the Royal Colleges or other statutory bodies require when a trainee undertakes OOP. These forms can be found in Section 4 of this guidance.
Note that the requirements of these bodies are in addition to the documentation required by the Mersey Deanery.
Links to the Royal Colleges can be found in Section 5 of this guidance. Please read carefully to ensure your College OOP requirements are met.
SECTION 2: PRINCIPLES
| 1. | Prior to commencing OOP, trainees must discuss their career plans with their nominated Education Supervisor and complete the necessary forms. |
| 2. |
Supporting documentation is required with the OOP Form. Please refer to the following sections on the OOP Form for further details:
Failure to supply all the required documents will result in your application not being considered. |
| 3. |
Two years out of the clinical training programme will normally be the maximum time allowed out of programme. Extensions to this will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances that will need further written approval from the Postgraduate Dean. |
| 4. |
Trainees must give at least 6 months notice to their Training Programme Director of the date they intend to return to the clinical programme. |
| 5. |
Trainees must continue to return an annual Form R (for CT and ST level only) for each year that they are OOP for consideration by the annual review panel. |
| 6. |
As per the Gold Guide “the trainee should give their Postgraduate Dean and their employer (current and/or next) as much notice as possible. Three months is the minimum period of notice required so that employers can ensure that the needs of patients are appropriately addressed.” |
| 7. |
By signing the OOP Form, trainees agree to the Mersey Deanery sharing any information submitted on this form with appropriate external bodies including the Lead Employer, Royal College and GMC for the purpose of monitoring the outcomes of the period of leave and managing any contractual issues. |
| 8. |
Trainees must contact the HR and Pensions Departments of the Lead Employing Trust when applying for OOP to discuss the implications on their pension contributions whilst OOP. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Head of Pay & Staff Services - Telephone 0151 430 1117 |
| 9. |
For OOPT / OOPR applications, once documentation has been reviewed by the Mersey Deanery the application and supporting documents will be forwarded to the GMC for prospective approval. Approval to take the period of leave will only be granted once GMC approval has been received. |
| 10. |
It is the trainee’s responsibility to keep the Deanery informed of secure contact details during the period of leave. |
SECTION 3: APPLICATION FORM
The Mersey Deanery OOP Application Form can be downloaded from here: OOP Application Form
Please ensure you read any specialty specific guidance on this form highlighted in yellow.
SECTION 4: ADDITIONAL FORMS
Additional forms as noted in OOP Application Form:
| SECTION | SPECIALTY | ADDTIONAL FORM | COMMENTS |
| 2.1 & 2.2 |
Anaesthesia |
Submit to College only |
|
| 2.1 & 2.2 |
Submit to JRCPTB only |
||
| 2.1 |
Submit to JRCPTB only |
||
| 2.1 |
Paediatrics SpRs only |
Submit to College only |
|
| 2.2 |
Pathology |
Submit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. only |
|
| 2.1 |
Psychiatry |
Submit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. only |
When all the information is collated please forward to the relevant Postgraduate School Administrator at the Mersey Deanery address.
SECTION 5: ROYAL COLLEGE OOP GUIDANCE
Anaesthesia
Emergency Medicine
Medicine (JRCPTB Specialties)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Paediatrics
Pathology
Psychiatry
Radiology
Surgery
FEEDBACK
As this is a pilot of the new singular form, your feedback on this process will be greatly received. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
