What is Less than Full Time (LTFT) Training?

 

Less than full time training (LTFT) is when a Postgraduate Doctor in Training (PGDiT) reduces their working hours below the standard 100% full time (40 hours per week) to a different percentage such as 60% or 80%.

There are many reasons a PGDiT may choose to apply for LTFT training, and consideration must also be taken to look at the impact this will have on the training pathway and expected CCT.

The BMA LTFT information can be found here.

Contact information for teams mentioned in the below information can be found at the bottom of this page.

 

How to Apply for LTFT Training

All DiTs are welcome to apply for LTFT training.

 

• Already in training, please start discussions with your Educational Supervisor (ES) and Training Programme Director (TPD) in the first instance. Contacting your Programme Support Officer (PSO) is also required as they will need to be made aware of your request and can help you look at how your training pathway will change.

 

• Not yet commenced training and are at the Oriel application stage for the GP Training Programme, please include in your Oriel application that you would like to train LTFT. This will be communicated through to the GP School and the Lead Employer Trust (LET) before you commence your pre-employment checks.

 

• Currently on a period of extended leave (e.g., parental leave, long term sickness absence) and you are wishing to look at returning at LTFT, please make contact with your PSO and LET People Services Officer to request this as soon as possible.

 

The LTFT Training policy can be found here. Please read this for information on eligibility, application rules, notice periods and appeals.

Application Process Map

Application Form

Appeal Form

 

You must not start working LTFT until your application has been approved and you have been sent official confirmation of this.

 

**Please note that it is your responsibility if on a visa to ensure that the LTFT percentage you apply for is supported by the visa type you are on**

 

Visa FAQ page here.

 

 

LTFT Percentages

Please discuss the different options available with your ES/TPD/PSO and look to find a percentage that suits your personal and educational needs. The two most common LTFT percentages are 60% (24 hours per week) and 80% (32 hours per week).

 

Non-Working Day(s)

It is not possible to allocate a fixed non-working day as part of the LTFT process. During the application process, you will be expected to liaise with your host placement to negotiate rota arrangements. During these negotiations, you may request a certain non-working day, however your placement are not required to grant this if they cannot support due to service or educational needs. Your LET People Services Officer and Programme Support Officer will be able to provide further support and information should you require it.

 

Working Patterns

During the LTFT application process, you will work with your ES to draw up a template rota that will cover the required educational and clinical aspects of your training within your LTFT hours. 

 

Pay

If you wish to see an example of basic pay for a LTFT percentage amount, please contact LET Payroll. They cannot forecast future rota payments or enhancements, only a basic pay amount for the current ST rate applicable to you. This would show you the least amount of pay that you could expect for a particular LTFT percentage.

As per the 2016 Terms and Conditions of Service a Doctor training LTFT and on the 2016 TCs contract will be paid an annual allowance of £1,000 for as long as they continue to train LTFT. This allowance will be paid in monthly instalments over the year.  Please read the TCs document as linked above for further information.

 

Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Working

Working LTFT will impact your annual leave allowance and how you are affected by Bank/Public Holidays. Please see the LET policy here. For more information, please contact the LET People Services Officer directly.

 

 

Study Leave

See our Study Leave page for full information.

 

 

Maximising Educational Opportunities whilst Working LTFT

You may find that working LTFT restricts training opportunities for some activities/meetings/clinics etc. that only fall on your non-working day(s). If this is the case, please work with your ES and CS to see if you can be flexible with your non-working day(s) on certain weeks in order to attend. It is recognised however, that you may not be able to move non-working days due to arrangements such as childcare. If you are worried about missing training opportunities, please speak to your ES/TPD/PSO for further support.

 

 

Attending Mandatory Weekly Teaching

You will still be required to attend mandatory weekly teaching sessions, the number of teaching sessions that you must attend per rotation will depend on your LTFT percentage, the placement you are on and the sessions you have already attended. Please discuss this aspect of your training with your ES and PSO during the LTFT application process.

 

 

Workplace Based Assessments

If working LTFT, your e-Portfolio will be adjusted to account for this so please use this as your guide in relation to workplace based assessments (WPBAs). WPBAs will be pro-rata in relation to your LTFT percentage amount.

 In depth information can be found on the Royal College of General Practitioners website and you can also speak to your ES and PSO regarding this.

 

 

ARCPs

Working LTFT will usually result in your ARCP being out of sync with the full-time cohort. This is not something to worry about and the ARCP panel members are used to scheduling and panelling out of sync PGDiTs. If you are unsure as to the number of competencies you will need to have by your panel date, please speak to your ES and PSO to check well in advance of your panel.

 

 

Impact on Expected CCT Date

Going LTFT will change your expected CCT date and lengthen the amount of time you spend in training. To have your expected CCT date calculated, please contact your PSO. For queries relating to CCT date change and visas, please contact england.sponsorship@nhs.net directly.

If your LTFT application is approved, the LET will issue you with an extension to contract letter to ensure that your employment with them covers the duration of your training.

 

 

Reduction in Membership Fees

Certain membership bodies offer a reduction in fees to LTFT Doctors, contact any that you pay for to ask if this is an option.

GMC fee discount information can be found here.

 

 

Useful Contacts

 

Programme Support Officers (PSOs)

Northumbria Programme: Michelle.taberham@nhs.net

North Cumbria Programme: emma.clarke86@nhs.net

Durham & Tees Valley Programme: chris.alderson2@nhs.net

 

The Lead Employer Trust

People Services Officers: england.letgpacademic@nhs.net

Payroll: england.letpayroll@nhs.net