Return to SuppoRTT Homepage 

---

SuppoRTT CPD Funding Guidance

---

Introduction

The NHSE Yorksire and Humber Deanery recognises the more generic return to training activities provided via the Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT) programme may not meet the needs of every postgraduate doctor or dentist returning to training (from hereon referred to as 'PGDiTs' for brevity). In response, SuppoRTT provide access to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) funding so PGDiTs can access bespoke courses and/or events that will help them regain confidence and refresh previously acquired skills to support a successful return to training and clinical working. 

This guidance provides information about the availability of SuppoRTT CPD Funding, including details of the eligibility criteria and application process.

This guidance should be read in full before submitting a funding application. Funding requests will only be approved if they comply with the conditions of this guidance. 

---

Eligibility to apply for funding

Funding is only available to PGDiTs who are out of training for a more than three months.

Funding is only available for courses/events taking place within six months of the PGDiT’s return to training date and up to three months after.

In exceptional circumstances, (for example, OOPRs who have been out of training for 3-4 years), if the course/activity does not fall within these timeframes the SuppoRTT Associate Deans may provide discretionary approval for funding on a case-by-case basis.

All PGDiTs requesting SuppoRTT CPD Funding must have discussed the intended activity with their appropriate Educator/Supervisor to ensure it is appropriate for funding and to meet the PGDiT's needs, and this discussion must be documented on the SuppoRTT CPD Funding Request form.

---

Eligible activities

Funding requests must be for activities that support your return to training. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Courses which support you to refresh your knowledge of, and confidence in using, clinical skills
• Courses, conferences and/or symposia which provide clinical updates for your specialty
• Access to eLearning resources and/or courses that support you to refresh your clinical knowledge

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples of previously funded activities: 

• British Society of Neuroradiologists Stroke Imaging Study Day
• European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Annual Conference
• GP Red Whale Update Together
• Infomed Online Gynaecology MRI course
• Royal College of Anaesthetists Giving Anaesthetics Safely Again Course
• Royal College of Emergency Medicine Clinical Toxicology Course

 

 

The following are non-exhaustive examples of activities that have not been awarded funding as they are ineligible: 

• Baby Lifeline Training Advanced Cardiotocography Masterclass
• East of England (EoE) Advanced Histopathology Course
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health Diploma
• iSC Medical Consultant Interview Skills
• Royal College of General Practitioners AKT Preparation Course

If you wish to request funding for a course relating to your registered sub-specialty, your application will be reviewed and a decision made on a case-by-case basis utilising the same principles for courses which are not funded as standard. This includes consideration of whether the activity is appropriate in supporting your return to training, if it meets the generic needs of the sub-specialty curriculum and if it focuses on a nuanced aspect of the sub-specialty curriculum. 

---

Available Funding

SuppoRTT CPD Funding can be used for an activity's registration/booking fee and, where the activity is face-to-face, it may be used for travel, accommodation, and subsistence.

You will be required to provide accurate estimated costings as part of your application which must adhere to the reimbursable limits specified within our regional operational guidance or Study Leave. We strongly recommend you read the ‘Travel and Subsistence Allowance’ section of the Yorkshire and Humber Operational Study Leave Guidance when preparing your application to ensure your funding request does not exceed the permissible limits as funding will only be approved up to these maxima. 

We will approve and reimburse expenditure relating to the activity only. Discussions regarding salaries should take place with the PGDiT’s employing Trust.

There is not a prescriptive maximum amount of SuppoRTT CPD Funding that can be awarded to a PGDiT during a single absence or the duration of their training programme. However, we monitor applications and reserve the right to decline applications where a PGDiT has already received a significant amount of funding to ensure equity. 

---

Application process

Before applying, you must discuss your proposed activity with your educator/supervisor to ensure it is appropriate for SuppoRTT CPD Funding and be assured it will meet your needs for preparing to return to training. You will be asked to confirm they have provided support and provide details of your discussion within the application form. 

Submission of a SuppoRTT CPD Funding application does not guarantee you will be awarded funding. Owing to this, you must not book onto any activity until you have received an outcome decision. We endeavour to review all applications and provide an outcome via email within ten working days of the submission date. You must submit your application form at least four weeks in advance of your chosen activity's start date. This will ensure you receive an outcome decision in plenty of time to book the activity. Applications submitted thereafter are not guaranteed to be reviewed in time for attendance. 

If approved, your application outcome will also confirm the amount of funding you have been awarded. 

Applications must be submitted via our online SuppoRTT CPD Funding Application Form. To assist with preparing your application, you may wish to preview a copy of the form questions. 

---

Payment and reimbursement

If awarded funding, you will need to pay for the activity directly, as well as any associated travel or accommodation. These costs will be reimbursed to you after you have attended the activity. 

You will be sent a supplier letterhead document alongside your application outcome which requests payment information and allows us to add you to the NHS England finance system in advance of your need to be reimbursed. The completed document must be returned to the SuppoRTT team as soon as possible to prevent any later delays in your reimbursement. 

You will also be sent a SuppoRTT CPD Invoice template for you to specify all expense costs to be reclaimed. Your invoice must be submitted within 30 days of the activity taking place and must be supported with the following to be eligible for payment:

• Copies of receipts, booking confirmations and/or confirmation of payment for the invoiced expenses
• Evidence of your attendance at the activity (i.e. Certificate of Attendance)

We reserve the right to withdraw funding where your claim is not submitted within the specified timeframe and/or the required supporting documents are not provided. 

Costs will only be reimbursed in adherence with the expense limits set out in the ‘Travel and Subsistence Allowance’ section of the Yorkshire and Humber Operational Study Leave Guidance. Any costs which exceed the permissible maxima shall not be reimbursed. 

Where your invoice requests reimbursement for expenses that were not included in your original application and funding award, we reserve the right to decline to pay the additional costs. If you anticipate your costs will exceed your funding award, you should contact the SuppoRTT team in advance of the activity to seek advanced approval of the additional expense.

Upon receipt of the invoice and supporting documentation, the SuppoRTT team will confirm the expense claim has been processed and you can expect to be reimbursed directly within 30 working days. 

---

Support

Please contact the SuppoRTT Team if you have any queries about SuppoRTT CPD Funding.

---