SuppoRTT — Frequently Asked Questions

Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT, or SRTT for short) is a programme provided by NHS England to support doctors and dentists in training to return to work and training safely and confidently, while maintaining high quality patient care.

SuppoRTT is available to anyone who has been out of training for three months or more. Through the programme you can access:

• Coaching
• Courses and professional development
• Enhanced supervision
• A supernumerary period

The programme applies to all Postgraduate Doctors and Dentists in Training (PGDDiTs) absent for three months or more, regardless of the reason. Eligible absences include:

• Parental leave
• Out-of-programme research, career break, training or experience
• Period of suspension
• Absence associated with a conduct or capability investigation

Trainees absent for less than three months may also opt in if they and their TPD feel it would be beneficial.

SuppoRTT provides a bespoke, individualised package for each returning trainee. This includes:

• A structured process for planning your absence, maintaining contact, and preparing for your return
• A personalised return-to-training plan with activities, courses, and support
• Funding to support CPD activities
• A supernumerary period and/or enhanced supervision on return
• Coaching
• Simulation — speak to your receiving trust's medical education department, or visit the North East Simulation Network
• Professional development workshops via FAST

When your Programme Support Officer (PSO) is notified of your leave by the LET, they will send you an email with a form to complete when you meet with your clinical educator. If you don't receive this email, contact your PSO as soon as possible.

If you haven't engaged yet and want to opt in, see I have changed my mind — is it too late?

A Clinical Educator is anyone who has a role in your education or pastoral care — including your clinical or educational supervisor, SuppoRTT School Lead, Trust Champion, TPD, Foundation Programme Tutor, Director of Medical Education, Head of School, or College Tutor. See How do I choose who to have my meetings with?

Before your meeting, think about what support you might need when returning to training. Topics to cover:

• The reasons for and expected length of your absence
• Potential CPD activities during your absence, if appropriate
• Keeping in Touch days, if planning parental leave
• Available SuppoRTT resources, e-LfH modules, and school courses
• Any concerns about being out of training and returning
• Your current and anticipated learning and training needs
• What enhanced supervision and the supernumerary period would look like in your specialty and the context you would return to

Your clinical educator may suggest further options too.

No. How you hold your meetings is entirely between you and your clinical educator — there is no requirement for them to be in person.

Your meeting should be with a clinical educator — anyone who has a role in your education or pastoral care. This is likely to be your clinical or educational supervisor, but can be any of the following:

• SuppoRTT School Lead
• SuppoRTT Trust Champion
• Training Programme Director
• Foundation Programme Tutor
• Director of Medical Education
• Head of School
• College Tutor

Choose someone you have an existing relationship with who understands your situation. It does not have to be your current Educational Supervisor. If you are unsure, speak to your School Lead — you can find School Lead and Trust Champion contact details in the directory on the guidance page.

Email your School TPD. If you are unsure who that is or feel uncomfortable doing so, email your SuppoRTT School Lead — they will be happy to help.

You can find School Lead and Trust Champion contact details in the Directory on the guidance page.

It's your return and you're in the best place to know what would make it easier.

Once you receive the email from your PSO, it is your responsibility to arrange the meeting and complete the form with your clinical educator. Once submitted, the information flows through to the LET and then to your host employer.

If you have not received the form, email your PSO as soon as possible. If you receive no response, contact your TPD and SuppoRTT School Lead. If your return is within 4 months, also contact the Trust Champion at the trust you are returning to.

If your meeting did not go as expected, email your SuppoRTT School Lead or Trust Champion.

Not necessarily. Email your PSO and they will add you to the list. Approximately four months before your return date, you will receive an email inviting you to arrange a meeting with a clinical educator.

Email your PSO as soon as possible. If you do not hear back, contact the Trust Champion at the trust you will be returning to, and your TPD or School Lead.

You should have received an email with a copy of your completed initial meeting form. Check your emails. If you haven't received it, contact your PSO as soon as possible.

If you have changed your mind about what you'd like to access, see I have changed my mind — is it too late?

ARCPs need to happen yearly regardless of OOP or similar absences. While out of training, they may not assess your evidence to progress but are still necessary as part of your revalidation. For more information, speak to your PSO.

If you have taken maternity or shared parental leave, you are entitled to Keeping In Touch (KIT) days or Shared Parental Leave In Touch (SPLIT) days. These are a statutory right under UK employment law — they are not managed by SuppoRTT.

KIT days allow you to work up to 10 days during maternity or adoption leave.

SPLIT days apply during Shared Parental Leave — up to 20 days, in addition to any KIT days you are entitled to.

If you are out of programme for a reason other than parental leave, KIT/SPLIT days are not available to you.

• Government information on KIT/SPLIT employee rights: GOV.UK — employee rights when on leave
• Specific enquiries re the process of KIT/SPLIT: LET People Officer
• For the form to fill out: Forms | Lead Employer Trust
• ACCENT issues: england.accentleavemanagerqueries.ne@nhs.net
• Study leave policy: madeinheene.hee.nhs.uk — Study Leave Policy

You cannot be on two types of leave simultaneously, so you need to liaise with the LET to agree the annual leave day back into your entitlement. This is possible — the LET just need to know so your annual leave count remains correct.

If the KIT/SPLIT day is for a workshop or event with a fee, study leave budget can be used in annual leave.

• KIT/SPLIT payment forms: Forms | Lead Employer Trust
• Annual leave / KIT / SPLIT questions: LET People Officer

It depends on when the course falls relative to your return date:

More than 6 months before return (excluding AL portion):
While OOP you do not have access to the study budget or the SuppoRTT budget, so unfortunately you cannot be reimbursed for a course during this period.

Within 6 months of return (excluding AL portion):
You can use the SuppoRTT budget. On the ACCENT study leave form, where you would normally write your clinical educator, put "SuppoRTT".

During the annual leave portion of parental leave:
Study leave budget can be used in annual leave. However, you cannot be on two types of leave at the same time — liaise with the LET to agree the annual leave day back in your entitlement. This is a normal working day within a block of annual leave, not a KIT/SPLIT day.

• Government information on KIT/SPLIT employee rights: GOV.UK — employee rights when on leave
• Specific enquiries re the process of KIT/SPLIT: LET People Officer
• For the form to fill out: Forms | Lead Employer Trust
• ACCENT issues: england.accentleavemanagerqueries.ne@nhs.net
• Study Leave Policy: madeinheene.hee.nhs.uk

This isn't directly managed by SuppoRTT, but here's who to contact:

Your GP (as soon as you know): Your GP will arrange a midwife appointment. After 20 weeks, request a MAT B1 form from your midwife — this confirms your pregnancy and Estimated Delivery Date, and is required to access statutory maternity pay.

Your employer (at least 15 weeks before your EDD): Send your MAT B1 to your LET People Officer — ideally as soon as you receive it. Find your People Officer via the LET contacts page. They will notify your PSO and TPD.

Your TPD and PSO: Email your TPD and copy in your PSO to share your pregnancy and expected leave dates. This helps with the administration of SuppoRTT.

LET Parental Leave Policy: nenc-leademployertrust.nhs.uk — policies

The process sits with your speciality — speak to your TPD and PSO first. You are still eligible for certain aspects of SuppoRTT. The main difference is that KIT/SPLIT days are a statutory right linked to parental leave, so they are not available during OOP. See How do KIT/SPLIT days work?

The process sits with your speciality — speak to your TPD and PSO, who will be able to advise. You are still eligible for certain aspects of SuppoRTT. KIT/SPLIT days are not available during non-parental OOP — see How do KIT/SPLIT days work?

Both will look different depending on your specialty, stage, and site of training — it is worth discussing with your supervisor or Clinical Educator in advance so you know what to expect.

Supernumerary period

What this looks like in practice will vary depending on your specialty, stage, and site of training. We suggest discussing with your supervisor so you know what to expect. For LTFT trainees, the days are spread over more calendar time to reflect your working pattern and are not pro rata.

For all specialties, you should not be solely responsible out of hours during this period and there should always be a senior colleague available if required.

Enhanced supervised period

A period of more directly observed and focused learning across your clinical activities. The length, level of supervision, and specific activities are tailored to your individual needs and agreed with your Clinical Educator. It can cover:

• Routine ward work
• Outpatient clinics
• Clinical skills
• Emergency and out-of-hours work
• Simulation-based assessment (where available)

We recommend that all trainees have at least three days supernumerary on return. If requested on the pre-return meeting form, SuppoRTT will fund these three days. If a trainee feels a supernumerary period is not necessary, the reasons should be clearly stated on the initial return form.

No. Everyone is entitled to 10 working days of supernumerary time. For LTFT trainees, the 10 days are spread over more calendar time to reflect your working pattern — they are not pro rata.

Working days, not shifts. For a full-time trainee this equates to roughly two calendar weeks based on your normal working pattern.

Coaching is a series of structured conversations with a trained coach. Using a questioning approach, the coach helps you identify actions to maximise performance and develop specific skills — involving a level of challenge to explore underlying thinking and guide you to reach solutions yourself. It is a voluntary, confidential one-to-one relationship.

All SuppoRTT participants are encouraged to consider it. Many trainees find that returning to clinical practice affects confidence, and coaching can be a valuable tool.

To access coaching, email the SuppoRTT team at england.educationsupport.ne@nhs.net or download and complete the coaching referral form, in conjunction with your TPD.

You can access most elements of SuppoRTT. However, if your return involves Occupational Health (OH), their recommendations take precedence. If OH stipulates a phased return, this will determine your working pattern. Enhanced supervision can run alongside any OH-agreed working pattern.

• Supernumerary period — superseded by OH requirements
• Enhanced supervision — can run in parallel with OH-stipulated pattern
• Coaching — often not right for sickness absence; see What is coaching?
• Courses and workshops — yes, available via FAST

Returning to clinical training while breastfeeding is entirely possible with the right planning and support.

Each trust has its own breastfeeding policy — if you're unable to find it, email your Trust Champion.

What you are entitled to: A room with a lock, access to a refrigerator for storing expressed milk, and flexibility in your schedule for expressing breaks. Most trusts have lactation or quiet rooms available.

Find your Trust Champion via the directory on the guidance page.