Less Than Full-Time Training (LTFT)
Giving trainees greater flexibility in their working lives
NHS England (Workforce, Training and Education) is committed to increasing flexibility in postgraduate medical training.
The key aims of LTFT training are:
- To retain doctors within the NHS workforce who are unable to train on a full-time basis
- To promote career development and work/life balance for doctors training within the NHS
- To ensure continued training in programmes on a time-equivalent (pro rata) basis
- To maintain a balance in LTFT arrangements with regards to educational needs and those of the service
Eligibility for LTFT
NHS England has refreshed the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on LTFT arrangements to ensure greater flexibility for Doctors in Training. This work has been part of the Enhancing Junior Doctors Working Lives and aligns closely to Gold Guide.
- Postgraduate doctors in training across England in any specialty have the right to apply to train LTFT for any well-founded reason, including for their wellbeing or through personal choice
- Typically the percentage worked in hours will correspond with the percentage out of hours
- Postgraduate Doctors and Dentists in Training should discuss an application with their ES and TPD prior to submitting
- Trusts will be consulted with on applications that have less than three months' notice and changes are unlikely to be possible with less notice without their direct approval
Applying for LTFT
For any change in percentage training time, you need to complete the application form (see below), this includes returning to full-time training. We must have a minimum of three months' notice.
Before you apply we suggest reviewing the document at the bottom of the page which gives you a checklist to ensure you consider all the implications.
If you are on a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa please make sure the LTFT percentage you apply for complies with the requirements of your visa. The sponsorship team have a full list of FAQs which can be found here.
If you would like to see an estimate of your completion date based on your new percentage please click here use our calculator tool. This will be an estimate for your information only, your completion date will be formally confirmed at your next ARCP.
- Please apply using this Application Form (MS Form).
NHSE's Statement for LTFT Trainees Working Locum Shifts
LTFT Doctors in Training can do locum shifts and they should have appropriate supervision and induction. Trainees must follow the Good Medical Practice standards. The expectation is that 1-2 locum shifts per month may be undertaken. If it is more than this on a regular basis then this needs discussion with your Training Programme Director to discuss working at a higher percentage. An LTFT trainee should not be doing locum shifts for slots left empty by them by working LTFT. We encourage you to discuss any issues regarding locums you are uncertain about. The other restriction is that postgraduate doctors in training should only be doing locums in the East Midlands and not in other deaneries, to do a locum in another deanery needs Postgraduate Dean's permission as your Responsible Officer. There is additional guidance available https://www.copmed.org.uk/publications/guidance-on-undertaking-additional-work
Contact us
If you have any queries about the process or wish to question an LTFT decision then please email our teams as per the below table. This will may be reviewed with the Associate Postgraduate Dean who leads for LTFT.
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Secondary Care |
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Foundation |
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General Practice, Dental and Public Health |
0116 312 0619 |
Further information
Pay: How working LTFT affects your pay
(Please note this video is now out of date with regards to pension information for LTFT doctors, for up to date information please refer to the BMA website here)
Rota Patterns: How to calculate your rota pattern when working LTFT
You can find support from your peers on LTFT below!
Facebook: A group of volunteer admins, who are also LTFT trainees, run a Facebook group for all LTFT doctors. This is a public forum intended to offer peer support, respond to common LTFT queries and sign-post for further advice. This group is searchable on Facebook as 'LTFT Trainees Forum', and there are a series of joining questions.
The rules for participating in this group are in line with all online activity: be polite, kind professional and respectful and don't post anything you wouldn't be prepared to sign.
Educator Information
Educator roles in the process
Educational supervisor
Each trainee should have a named ES who is responsible for overseeing that trainee’s educational progress over a period of time.
The ES is a trainer who is selected and appropriately trained to be responsible for the overall supervision and management of a specified DiT’s trajectory of learning and educational progress during a clinical training period and/or series of periods. The educational supervisor’s role is to help the student or trainee to plan their training and achieve agreed learning outcomes. They are responsible for the educational agreement and for bringing together all relevant evidence to form a summative report.
In relation to LTFT applications the ES is responsible for supporting a DiT to make career planning decisions at the right time and think about what is needed for their planned consultant/next training level practice.
Training Programme Director
All programmes are overseen by a TPD, or FPD in Foundation. A speciality TPD is a member of the Speciality Training Committee (STC)/Training School and responsible for the delivery of training in that speciality according to the standards set by the GMC and relevant Royal College or Faculty. They manage the programme alongside supporting individual trainees needs and training. They are responsible to the Head of School and Postgraduate Dean.
In relation to LTFT applications the TPD is responsible for considering whether the programme can accommodate the request. They may also support the DiT and ES with guidance about potential opportunities. They may also consult the Associate Postgraduate Dean for Trainee Experience for advice.