Less Than Full Time (LTFT) Training
The following is a beginner's guide to LTFT training, or if you need an answer to a specific question you can follow the links below.
There is also a FAQ section available on the NHSE website
Eligibility for LTFT Training
All doctors in training are eligible to apply for LTFT training as long as they have a well-founded individual reason (see the Gold Guide p41). The updated Gold Guide does not specify examples of well-founded reasons and it is anticipated this will be interpreted very loosely
All requests are considered but approval of the application is also subject to the capacity of the programme
Applying for LTFT Training
Applications for LTFT training are done via the PGDME Support Portal here
The possible options for LTFT training are:
50% (2.5 days per week)
60% (3 days per week)
70% (3.5 days per week)
80% (4 days per week)
Typically the start date of your LTFT training must coincide with your speciality's usual rotation month. The only exceptions to this are:
Parental responsibilities
Other caring responsibilities
Trainees with ill-health or disabilities
The NHSE website provides the application window depending on your speciality's rotation month. All applications require 16 weeks' notice. You must discuss your application with your TPD prior to submitting it
Progression in LTFT Training
Progression for LTFT trainees will be pro-rata for the full-time (FT) equivalent, that is to say you will complete the same number of months at work as a FT trainee but these will be spread over a longer period of time
The NHSE website has a table that shows you how long it will take to accrue a certain number of FT months at different percentages of LTFT. You can also download the CCT calculator and use that to work out your anticipated end date
If you wish to change your LTFT percentage this will require another application via the PGDME Support Portal
Other LTFT Considerations
Pay:
Pay for LTFT trainees can be difficult to calculate, but there is a good explainer on the BMA website here
Leave:
Annual leave is pro-rata from the FTE (27 days if < 5 years NHS service, 32 days if at least 5 years NHS service) depending on your LTFT percentage. Further advice on leave can be found here
Study leave is pro-rata from the 30 day maximum depending on your LTFT percentage
However, if you are required to undertake a specific training course required by the curriculum which exceeds the pro rata entitlement to study leave, your employer should make arrangements for additional study leave to be taken, provided that this can be done while ensuring safe delivery of services
ARCP:
LTFT trainees have an ARCP in the same way as FT trainees
The panel will expect you to be making progress commensurate with your LTFT percentage. For example, if you have just completed a year of training at 60% they might expect you to have completed 2-3 ACATs instead of the FT equivalent of 4. By the end of your training programme you will have completed the same number of assessments as FT trainees
Locums:
You are entitled to work locum shifts while a LTFT trainee. There is no numerical cap on the number of these you can work
Less Than Full Time (LTFT) Training
The following is a beginner's guide to LTFT training, or if you need an answer to a specific question you can follow the links below.
There is also a FAQ section available on the NHSE website
Eligibility for LTFT Training
All doctors in training are eligible to apply for LTFT training as long as they have a well-founded individual reason (see the Gold Guide p41). The updated Gold Guide does not specify examples of well-founded reasons and it is anticipated this will be interpreted very loosely
All requests are considered but approval of the application is also subject to the capacity of the programme
Applying for LTFT Training
Applications for LTFT training are done via the PGDME Support Portal here
The possible options for LTFT training are:
50% (2.5 days per week)
60% (3 days per week)
70% (3.5 days per week)
80% (4 days per week)
Typically the start date of your LTFT training must coincide with your speciality's usual rotation month. The only exceptions to this are:
Parental responsibilities
Other caring responsibilities
Trainees with ill-health or disabilities
The NHSE website provides the application window depending on your speciality's rotation month. All applications require 16 weeks' notice. You must discuss your application with your TPD prior to submitting it
Progression in LTFT Training
Progression for LTFT trainees will be pro-rata for the full-time (FT) equivalent, that is to say you will complete the same number of months at work as a FT trainee but these will be spread over a longer period of time
The NHSE website has a table that shows you how long it will take to accrue a certain number of FT months at different percentages of LTFT. You can also download the CCT calculator and use that to work out your anticipated end date
If you wish to change your LTFT percentage this will require another application via the PGDME Support Portal
Other LTFT Considerations
Pay:
Pay for LTFT trainees can be difficult to calculate, but there is a good explainer on the BMA website here
Leave:
Annual leave is pro-rata from the FTE (27 days if < 5 years NHS service, 32 days if at least 5 years NHS service) depending on your LTFT percentage. Further advice on leave can be found here
Study leave is pro-rata from the 30 day maximum depending on your LTFT percentage
However, if you are required to undertake a specific training course required by the curriculum which exceeds the pro rata entitlement to study leave, your employer should make arrangements for additional study leave to be taken, provided that this can be done while ensuring safe delivery of services
ARCP:
LTFT trainees have an ARCP in the same way as FT trainees
The panel will expect you to be making progress commensurate with your LTFT percentage. For example, if you have just completed a year of training at 60% they might expect you to have completed 2-3 ACATs instead of the FT equivalent of 4. By the end of your training programme you will have completed the same number of assessments as FT trainees
Locums:
You are entitled to work locum shifts while a LTFT trainee. There is no numerical cap on the number of these you can work
