Who is this for?

This guidance is for ANY trainee who has had a period of absence from training. This could include; parental leave, sickness, OOP, carers leave and any other reason where you have taken a break from training.

The SuppoRTT guidance is designed to be flexible and take into account the differing nature and length of absence, addressing your individual needs as you make the transition back into your training programme.  

Do I need to read the Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT) Guidance?

Yes, you should ensure that you thoroughly read this guidance as it defines both the exact rules and requirements that you are required to adhere to. This guidance has been put into place to support you, promote patient safety and quality of care.

The Key Points;

1. Any trainee that has a period of absence of 3 months or more is strongly advised to adhere to this guidance document.
2. If you have been absent for less than 3 months you can still ‘opt in’ to the guidance document.
3. Your supported return to training plan should be individualised to your needs.
4. If you have been absent for 6 or more months you will be eligible for a three-day supernumerary period on your return.
5. The relevant meetings and forms must be completed in conjunction with your Educational Supervisor and sent to your Training Programme Director

What should I do before I take a period of planned absence?

If you are about to take a period of planned absence you should ensure that you arrange a Pre-Absence Meeting with your educational supervisor to discuss how you might keep up to date and any concerns that you may have about returning.

You will need to complete the Pre-Absence Form detailing your discussion and then send a copy to your Training Programme Director and the SuppoRTT team.

What should I do If my break from practice in unexpected?

If your break from practice is unplanned then this meeting can be held at a later date at more convenient time for you dependent on your personal circumstances. This meeting can take place over the phone if you are unable to meet face to face.

What should I do prior to my return to training?

Approximately 8 – 12 weeks before you return to practice you will be required to attend an Initial Return Meeting to discuss what support you may require.

• For a period of absence that is between 3-5 months you should meet with your Educational Supervisor.
• For a period of absence that is 6 months and over you should meet with your Training Programme Director.
• If you have been absent for more complex reasons (sickness, personal reasons) you may request a 1:1 meeting with a SuppoRTT APD who may be able to offer additional support and guidance.

The aim of these meetings will be to create an individualised plan of return which will consist of identifying and discussing;

• Specific concerns
• Learning & training needs (including possible assessments or courses that the trainee should attend)
• Eligibility for supernumerary status
• A period of increased supervision if required

If you are unsure who your Educational Supervisor will be on your return you can contact your Training Programme Director for further advice.

Remember, returning to full duties, including on-calls without a re-introduction period, could potentially have negative implications for your wellbeing and patient safety. It is ok to ask for help and support.

What is the difference between a Supernumerary and a Supervised period?

All trainees (excluding GP trainees who are returning to a practice) who have had a period of absence of 6 months or more are entitled to a 3-day supernumerary period on their return which will be funded via SuppoRTT (you will still be paid via your normal arrangements). During this period the Trust will have backfilled your position to enable you to be an additional member of staff. This will need to be agreed during your Initial Return Meeting (recommended 8-12 weeks prior to return) with your ES or TPD where you will discuss what activities you will undertake during this time, this may include shadowing a senior member of staff.

All trainees who have had a period of absence for 3 or months (regardless if you are eligible for the 3-day supernumerary period) it is recommended that you should undertake a period of increased supervision which may include work-based assessments. This may affect your ability to undertake any out of hours work. This should be discussed and documented with your ES or TPD during your Initial Return Meeting.

Will HEE contact me while I am away from my programme?

Yes, please expect to receive emails from the SuppoRTT team inviting you to attend the activities within the YH SuppoRTT.

In order to improve collaboration and communication, the SuppoRTT team will contact you, your ES/TPD and Trust via email at the following stages prior to your return; 3 months, 2months and 1 month. The team will also contact you 1 month post your return requesting feedback regarding your experience of the supported return to training process. 

Don’t forget, you can also contact the team at any stage if you need further information or support; supportt.yh@hee.nhs.uk

What is an Individual Action Planner (IAP)?  

An IAP is a document that can allow you to plan what activities you will need to complete prior to your return. The IAP is divided into three sections to help you make a clear plan that addresses all of your needs. You can begin to fill this in independently or with your Educational Supervisor/Training Programme Director. Your ES/TPD can also make recommendations and record this on to your IAP.

The IAP will act as your record of support and should be linked to your E-portfolio and Trainee file. On completion of all planned activities a copy should also be sent to your Training Programme Director and the SuppoRTT team.   

What are Return To Training Activities (RTT-A)?

Return To Training Activities can include;

• Non-clinical activity days / workshops are provided specifically by HEE that are designed to;

• Build personal and professional well being
• Facilitate access to coaches and mentors
• Provide practical advice and sign posting
• Provide information/support for trainees who want to work less than full time

Details for these are located under the RTT-A tab on this webiste. These events are FREE to attend and are CHILD friendly.

• Clinical educational days and supported leaning activities that you access through either; YH SuppoRTT Programme, Trust, School or HEE. This can include;

• Clinical training including simulation
• Clinical shadowing days
• Educational update days

There’s no definitive list on what is or is not available to any specific trainee. You may find or be advised of other courses that you think will address your needs. You can discuss these options with your Educational Supervisor or Training Programme Director and request the necessary funding through the SuppoRTT CPD Funding process (please refer to Supported Return to Training CPD Funding guidance).

Please note, all YH SuppoRTT RTT-A are FREE to attend and you do not need to follow the SuppoRTT CPD Funding Process. All SuppoRTT RTT-A are detailed on the website.

If you have taken parental leave you may have access to 10 paid Keeping in Touch Days (these can be used to attend RTT- A if their employer agrees).

Details for ALL trainees regarding pay should be discussed with your employer.

When will I return to my normal duties?

Your supported return to training will end once you and your Educational Supervisor are satisfied that all of your needs have been met and you are happy to return to your programme. You will discuss this in your Return Review Meeting.

What should I do if my supervisor isn’t supporting me?

If you are not getting the required support from your Educational Supervisor then we would recommend that you contact your Training Programme Director at your earliest opportunity in order to address your concerns. Alternatively, you can contact HEE (SuppoRTT team) for further support and guidance; supportt.yh@hee.nhs.uk .

Below are the Return To Training Activities (RTT-A) we provide. Those that are baby friendly are indicated by the following symbol,. This means you can bring your little one along if you wish. For further information or to book your place please visit, Medical Maxcourse. If you haven't already created a Maxcourse account, please see these instructions.

RTT-A: Practical Advice & Signposting ​​

This event is facilitated by Dr Ros Roden (SuppoRTT APD) who can provide you with the help and advice in the practicalities of returning whether this be Full Time or Less Than Full Time. Each event includes different guest speakers who are happy to share their experience and knowledge to help make your return to training as easy as possible. These events are a brilliant opportunity to ask questions, meet with colleagues who are in a similar situation and begin to create your own individualised return to training plan.

Start: 0930hrs, Finish:1530hrs

Lunch and Refreshments are provided.

RTT-A: Building Personal & Professional Well-being ​​

HEE are excited to announce that following a successful pilot event Petros (professionals in resilience training) have agreed to work with HEE in supporting trainees back into training through their bespoke one-day resilience training programme ‘The Challenge of Change’. This day aims to develop and enhance your personal resilience in preparation for your return to training. This highly engaging and practical day will give you a clear understanding of what stress is really all about and the link between stress and poor health. You’ll discover how you can combat stress in work and home life, feel better, be more productive and content.

What you will learn:

• You will be provided with your own personal resilience profile
• A simple four-step strategy for enhancing your personal resilience
• Improved communication skills
• Strategies for relaxing both mind and body
• Your route to enhanced well-being and better performance

Start: 0930hrs, Finish: 1530hrs

Lunch and Refreshments are provided.

RTT-A: OOP Study Group

HEE have collaborated with Dr Laura Blakemore to develop a mixed speciality, child friendly, OOP study group for trainee’s who are OPP or have recently returned. These sessions will be facilitated by guest speakers from different specialities and all attendees are also welcomed to send in topics of interest so that speakers can incorporate into their session. These groups are a great opportunity to keep up to date with your CPD and spend time with colleagues who will be in a similar situation to you. Please be advised that this pilot will run for a period of 4 months and will take place at Weston Park Museum, Sheffield (opposite Sheffield Children’s Hospital).

If you would like to start your own OOP study group in your local area then please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the SuppoRTT Mailbox.

Start: 1300hrs, Finish: 1500hrs

Refreshments are provided.
 

How to set up and run a Study Group in your area

OOP Study Groups are a Trainee led initiative which the SuppoRTT Team provide administartive and funding support for. If you're interested in setting up a Study Group on your area, we'd love to hear from you. Please see attached our guide for setting up a Study Group and if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the  SuppoRTT Team via the SuppoRTT Mailbox.

RTT-A: Clinical Skills & Simulation

HEE are working in partnership with Mexborough Montagu Simulation Centre to provide a mixed speciality one-day course that will help doctors returning to practice, refresh their skills in undertaking a structured A - E approach when assessing and managing the acutely unwell patient. It will also cover the updated National Early Warning Scoring system and the SEPSIS 6 protocol.  Opportunity will be given for the knowledge and skills gained in the morning session to be put into practice using a number of simulation-based scenarios.

Objectives

• To provide those returning to work with a structured, needs-based programme.
• To rehearse a structured A - E approach to assessing and managing the acutely unwell patient.
• To recognise severity of illness using local/national scoring systems.
• To put theory into practice using simulation-based scenarios.

Please note that this is a supported event, there are no tests and it is only open to doctors who are in the process of returning or have recently returned.

Start: 0900hrs, Finish: 1630hrs

RTT-A: Human Factors and Communication

HEE are working in partnership with Mexborough Montagu Simulation Centre to provide a mixed speciality one-day course that will focus on a number of challenges faced by doctors when communicating with colleagues and patients.  It will also deal with the importance of Human Factors within the healthcare setting using a small group exercise and simulation-based scenarios.

Objectives

• To provide those returning to work with a structured, needs-based programme.
• To explore relevant aspects of communication within the doctor-patient and multidisciplinary settings.
• To stress the importance of Human Factors in the healthcare setting.

All delegates are expected to complete the Improvement Academy’s Bronze Level Human Factors training before attending the day.  This can be accessed on-line via the Improvement Academy website.

Please note that this is a supported event, there are no tests and it is only open to doctors who are in the process of returning or have recently returned.

Start: 0900hrs, Finish: 1630hrs

Please see below dates that are currently confirmed for all our Return To Training Activities (RTT- A), Mentoring and Study Groups. You can book your place for each of the below via Medical Maxcourse. If you need any assistance in relation to this, please don't hesitate to contact the SuppoRTT Team, supportt.yh@hee.nhs.uk.

RTT- Activities

Practical Advice & Signpoting 

Building Personal & Professional Wellbeing 

Human Factors & Communication

Clinical Skills & Simulation

Mentoring 

OOP Study Group

SuppoRTT and Well-being Conference