Recommended Activities

Supported Return to Training (or SuppoRTT for short) is a centrally funded NHS England programme which aims to support all postgraduate doctors and dentists in training (including Public Health registrars) to safely and confidently return to training after a sustained period of absence.

Other pages in this section:

This page lists recommended activities to help residents and supervisors plan their return. The activities recommended have been submitted by residents and clinical faculty. They include suggested activities for the short supernumerary or enhanced supervision period, key competencies and skills to focus on, and relevant courses and resources. If you are a resident or clincal faculty and would like to contribute to this page, please contact england.supportt.yh@nhs.net.

Preparing for your return

Residents due to return from an absence of 3 months or more should complete a Pre-Return Planning Meeting and Form with the relevant supervisor or Training Programme Director about 12 weeks before their return date. This is an opportunity to plan your return to clinical practice and training, including identifying any learning or training needs, and any support or activities that will be helpful for your return.

We recommend that all residents returning from a prolonged absense have a short supernumerary period and or an enhanced supervision period on their return. This can be requested through the Pre-Return Planning Meeting and Form. The supernumerary period is normally up to 3 days, but up to 10 days can be requested in exceptional circumstances. The length of the enhanced supervision period should be appropriate to your individual needs.

Supernumerary Period:
A supernumerary period is where the resident is considered as an additional member of the team with no fixed work commitments, enabling them to complete a programme of focused learning and clinical activities. On call duties would not normally be expected during this period.

Enhanced Supervision:
An enhanced supervision period is a short period where the resident is given a greater level of supervision in their practice, which may include focused learning activities and direct observation of clinical activities. Out of hours duties would not normally be expected during this period if adequate supervision is not available.

For more information about supernumerary and enhanced supervision periods, including funding, see the SuppoRTT guidance.

SuppoRTT Courses

The SuppoRTT team organises a variety of courses to support trainees with their return to training and the clinical environment. You can access these courses before and during your return to training. (SuppoRTT courses can be accessed within the first three months of returning to training.) Please see the SuppoRTT Courses page for more information about our courses. All courses can be booked through the LSFD Maxcourse site.

Recommended Activities

The recommended activities under the expanding headers below have been submitted by residents and clinical faculty. They include suggested activities for the short supernumerary or enhanced supervision period, key competencies and skills to focus on, and relevant courses and resources.

We recommend discussing these activities with your Educational Supervisior as part of your Pre-Return Planning Meeting. Similarly, if your programme or school is not included here, please speak to your Educational Supervisor for their recommendations.

Please note: Any funding for any external events or resources listed below must be requested and is subject to approval. SuppoRTT CPD Funding may be requested for courses or resoures which meet the eligibility criteria. Residents on maternity leave and OOPT retain their eligibility for study leave and may request study leave funding for curriculum activity.

General Practice
Anaesthetics and ICM
- Anaesthetics
- Intensive Care Medicine / Paediatric ICM
Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Paediatrics
Pathology
Psychiatry
Radiology
Surgery
- General Recommendations
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

General Practice

All GP registrars returning to a GP post will have a period of induction. They will have an induction timetable drawn up by their Clinical Supervisor based on their individual needs and circumstance. The duration is typically between one and three weeks. Discussion with other educators such as ES/TPD in addition may be necessary.

A General Practice induction timetable may involve:

Welcome to the practice
Introduction to IT systems
Clinical Introduction
GP Observation surgeries
Workflow and test results management
Joint visits
Practice Nurse, Community nurse, reception and pharmacist role observation
VTS educational session

If you are returning to the same practice that you were in before your leave, your induction period may look different.

Relevant recommended courses and or practical skills:

What brings you in today?' The art of consulting for returning registrars, Yorkshire and the Humber Deanery