Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT)
At a Glance
SuppoRTT is a national initiative from Health Education England to help doctors returning to clinical practice after a break of 3 months or more from their Post-Graduate Medical training.You might take a break from your medical training for a number of reasons, including:
- parental leave
- academic research
- career breaks
- personal health
SuppoRTT equips you with resources and support to help you get back to work with improved confidence. This may include:
- return to work courses
- peer mentoring
- supernumerary or enhanced supervision when you return
These following videos have been created by our clinical psychologist Dr Ashlyn Firkins to address common issues facing doctors returning to work. We hope you find these helpful and a useful tool to return to at any time.
Who can get SuppoRTT
All junior doctors in Health Education England approved training posts who take a break from training for longer than 3 months can access SuppoRTT.
We also have local agreement that LEDs (locally employed doctors) can benefit from the SuppoRTT service. Please inform us that you are planning a career break/soon to return to work by completing our GHNHSFT SuppoRTT registration form.
Unfortunately, the national scheme does not presently apply to Specialty and Associate specialists, but our team may still be able to help and advise. There is a named SAS Tutor who is a useful point of contact when planning your return to work. Please see intranet page ‘Speciality and Associate (SAS) Colleagues’ for more information.
If you are a GP trainee returning to clinical practise in the Community/Primary Care placement please contact your GP SuppoRTT Champion Dr Tim Davis
If you are a Psychiatry trainee/returning to a clinical placement within Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust please contact your SuppoRTT Champion Dr Sarah Greef
If your department cannot offer you a supported return to practice, speak to a member of our SuppoRTT team for advice.
Time out of training (TOOT)
If you plan to take time out of training (TOOT) for 3 months or more, here is what you need to do:
- Complete a SuppoRTT registration form. This will enable us to offer resources, advice and support before and during your return. The information captured in this form is confidential.
- Meet with your educational supervisor 4 weeks before your planned break to discuss and plan for your return.
- Complete a pre-absence planning form, or an unplanned leave form.
- Contact your educational supervisor 6 weeks before your return. Arrange a pre-return meeting and make a personalised plan for your return. You should also complete a pre-return planning form.
You can find a summary of the TOOT process and all the required forms on the Severn Deanery website.
FAQs
How many days supernumerary work can I expect on my return?
HEE recommends at least 2 weeks or 10 days full time equivalent.
Are any on calls during this time automatically covered by locums?
No, this is at the discretion of your educational supervisor and the department. However, it's considered best practice and encouraged by HEE.
What if my educational supervisor or department say they cannot offer me any supported return?
Contact our team via the SuppoRTT champion or fellow. We can help negotiate a plan with your department and provide ongoing support.
SuppoRTT Coffee Morning
We run a monthly drop in coffee morning at Sandford Education Centre 10:30am – 12:00pm. We welcome all trainees who are currently taking time out of training or who have been part of SuppoRTT previously. It is a useful space to meet other trainees and discuss any issues/concerns about returning to work. Coffee and cake provided. Please bring along a reusable cup for hot drinks.
2024 dates:
- 9th January
- 6th February
- 5th March
- 9th April
- 14th May
- 4th June
- 9th July
- 6th August
- 3rd September
- 1st October
- 5th November
- 3rd December
SuppoRTT Lunch drop in session
We are in the process of developing a monthly lunch time drop-in session in the Doctors Mess at Gloucester Hospital. Dates and further details will be advertised soon.
SuppoRTT WhatsApp Group
If you would like to be added to our SuppoRTT WhatsApp group please email ghn-tr.supporttfellow@nhs.net
Courses
Please see the Severn Deanery SuppoRTT page for upcoming courses, webinars and online learning aimed as those returning to training.
KiT/SPLiT days
Trainees returning to work following maternity, adoption or shared parental leave are entitled to keep in touch days. These are intended to help facilitate a smooth return to working life. Each trainee can take up to 10 KiT days per maternity/adoption leave. And those taking shared parental leave are entitled to 20 SPLiT days each.
For information about what your KiT days can be used for and how you are paid please see the Deanery SuppoRTT pages:
Note: If you wish to take KiT days during your period of accrued annual leave you should receive a day in lieu once you return to work. You will not receive additional pay.
Breast Milk Expressing
We are aware that many trainees will wish to continue breast feeding after their return to work and will therefore require the option of expressing breast milk.
If you are returning to work and planning on expressing, please discuss with your supervisor in your pre-return planning meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The trust action card on ‘Support for Breast Feeding mothers’ can be accessed here
There is now a dedicated Staff Expressing room at Gloucester Royal, located on the second floor stairwell of the Tower (between floors 2 and 3). The room is accessed by a door code. Please contact the SuppoRTT team/2020 Hub for the code.
Further support and guidance can be obtained via the 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub who can be contacted on tel 0300 422 2020 or via email on ghn-tr.2020@nhs.net
Health Education England: Advice on Breastfeeding Legal Rights - Factsheet
NHS Guidance: Breastfeeding and work
Peer mentoring
We can match you with a peer mentor to help support you, if you:
- are due to return to practice
- have recently returned to practice
Some of our peer supporters have formal mentoring training, while others are previous returners with shared experience.
Email us at ghn-tr.supporttfellow@nhs.net for more information.
Less than full time (LTFT) working
If you are planning to return to work LTFT it is important to liaise early with your department and rota co-ordinator in order to plan your rota. Some departments have LTFT templates whilst other departments will require a bespoke rota for individual trainees. Once your rota plan has been agreed with yourself and your department, please email to Karen Baldwin (Medical Staffing: ghn-tr.medical.staffing@nhs.net). She will check that the rota is compliant and notify pay roll.
Email address for trust approval of LTFT applications
For a list of current Rota Co-ordinators please click here
Our SuppoRTT team
SuppoRTT Champion & LTFT Lead, Dr Leena Nathwani
If you are a trainee or an educational supervisor who needs advice or help arranging a supported return to work, email ghn-tr.supporttchampion@nhs.net or ghn-tr.ltftchampion@nhs.net
SuppoRTT clinical fellow, Vacant post
If you have questions about SuppoRTT, want to request a peer mentor, or concerns about your own experience, email ghn-tr.supporttfellow@nhs.net
SuppoRTT and PGME Administrator, Suveetha Prakash
If you are due to return or have recently returned to training and haven’t been contacted by the SuppoRTT team, please email Suveetha Prakash or call 0300 422 3058