Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT)
At a Glance
SuppoRTT is a national initiative from Health Education England to help doctors returning to clinical practice after a break of 3 months or more from their Post-Graduate Medical training.On this page
You might take a break from your medical training for a number of reasons, including:
- parental leave
- academic research
- career breaks
- personal health
SuppoRTT equips you with resources and support to help you get back to work with improved confidence. This may include:
- return to work courses
- peer mentoring
- supernumerary or enhanced supervision when you return
These following videos have been created by our clinical psychologist Dr Ashlyn Firkins to address common issues facing doctors returning to work. We hope you find these helpful and a useful tool to return to at any time.
Who can get SuppoRTT
All junior doctors in Health Education England approved training posts who take a break from training for longer than 3 months can access SuppoRTT.
We also have local agreement that LEDs (locally employed doctors) can benefit from the SuppoRTT service. Please inform us that you are planning a career break/soon to return to work by completing our GHNHSFT SuppoRTT registration form.
Unfortunately, the national scheme does not presently apply to Specialty and Associate specialists, but our team may still be able to help and advise. There is a named SAS Tutor who is a useful point of contact when planning your return to work. Please see intranet page ‘Speciality and Associate (SAS) Colleagues’ for more information.
If you are a GP trainee returning to clinical practise in the Community/Primary Care placement please contact your GP SuppoRTT Champion Dr Tim Davis
If you are a Psychiatry trainee/returning to a clinical placement within Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust please contact your SuppoRTT Champion Dr Brenda Wasunna-Smith
If your department cannot offer you a supported return to practice, speak to a member of our SuppoRTT team for advice.
The SuppoRTT Process - How does it work?
1. Pre-absence planning meeting
Where possible, for planned leave, meet with your supervisor and use the Pre-Absence fact sheet. This will help with planning support on your return. Use the fact sheet as a checklist and upload a supplementary supervisor meeting to your portfolio. Most portfolios have a specialty-specific SuppoRTT meeting form. If this is not available, simply use the checklist and create a generic supervisor meeting summary.
2. Pre-return planning meeting
6-12 weeks before coming back, meet with your supervisor (virtually or in person) and use the Pre-Return fact sheet. This is a chance to discuss and get help organising any pre-return activities, as well as making sure your rota co-ordinator is aware of your period of enhanced supervision. Use the fact sheet as a checklist and upload a supplementary supervisor meeting to your portfolio. Most portfolios have a specialty-specific SuppoRTT meeting form. If this is not available, simply use the checklist and create a generic supervisor meeting summary.
New or expectant Mother risk assessment template
Not sure who your supervisor is? Email your SuppoRTT champion.
3. Pre-return activities
4. Return to work - period of enhanced supervision
This period should last two weeks (or LTFT equivalent - ten working days), but can be extended on discussion with your supervisor. The default is for trainees to work their normal daytime rostered hours for these weeks, without any out-of-hours work. If you choose to work an evening, night or weekend shift during their period of enhanced supervision, your hours should not exceed your standard working hours and you should be working in a shadowing capacity only.
5. Post-return review meeting
At this meeting with your supervisor and use the Post-Return fact sheet. If there are any outstanding issues or more support is required, this can be agreed at this meeting. Use the fact sheet as a checklist and upload a supplementary supervisor meeting to your portfolio. Most portfolios have a specialty-specific SuppoRTT meeting form. If this is not available, simply use the checklist and create a generic supervisor meeting summary.
A copy of the regional Supported Return to Training Guidance document can be viewed here. The national team have produced a national infographic.
If you missed being added to the SuppoRTT Database
If you think that you're eligible for SuppoRTT and haven't completed a form, please complete our SuppoRTT Application form for the South West SuppoRTT database. This will facilitate a supported return to work, both locally and provide regional and national information and useful links. Sorry if you haven't been invited yet. Just complete the form and you'll be added henceforth.
FAQs
How many days supernumerary work can I expect on my return?
HEE recommends at least 2 weeks or 10 days full time equivalent.
Are any on calls during this time automatically covered by locums?
No, this is at the discretion of your educational supervisor and the department. However, it's considered best practice and encouraged by HEE.
What if my educational supervisor or department say they cannot offer me any supported return?
Contact our team via the SuppoRTT champion or fellow. We can help negotiate a plan with your department and provide ongoing support.
Protecting your NHS email account whilst on leave
Your NHS Email becomes disabled after 90 days of inactivity, and then permanently deleted a further 30 days after inactivity.
To prevent this from happening there are two options:
Prior to going on leave, inform the IT team (0300 422 2808 or email ghft.itservicedesk@nhs.net) that you will be having a period of absence They can disable your email and re-enable it on the first day that you are back over a quick phone call.
Alternatively, keep access to your email but make sure to access it at least once every two months to prevent de-activation
If you find that your NHS email has been inactivated on your return, it can be restored via a call to IT when you are back but this will take 24 hours to do so, and therefore might delay resetting passwords for other accounts.
SuppoRTT Coffee Morning
Please join us for our monthly drop-in coffee morning at Sandford Education Centre from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
We warmly welcome all trainees who are:
- Currently taking time out of training
- Returning to training
- Or have previously been part of SuppoRTT
It’s a relaxed and supportive space to connect with other trainees, share experiences, and discuss any questions or concerns about returning to work.
☕ Coffee and cake provided – please bring a reusable cup for hot drinks.
📅 Click on the poster below to see our upcoming dates.
SuppoRTT WhatsApp Group
If you would like to be added to our SuppoRTT WhatsApp group please email ghn-tr.supporttchampion@nhs.net
Courses
Please see the Severn Deanery SuppoRTT page for upcoming courses, webinars and online learning aimed as those returning to training.
KiT/SPLiT days
Trainees returning to work following maternity, adoption or shared parental leave are entitled to keep in touch days. These are intended to help facilitate a smooth return to working life. Each trainee can take up to 10 KiT days per maternity/adoption leave. And those taking shared parental leave are entitled to 20 SPLiT days each.
For information about what your KiT days can be used for and how you are paid please see the Deanery SuppoRTT pages:
Note: If you wish to take KiT days during your period of accrued annual leave you should receive a day in lieu once you return to work. You will not receive additional pay.
Breast Milk Expressing
We are aware that many trainees will wish to continue breast feeding after their return to work and will therefore require the option of expressing breast milk.
If you are returning to work and planning on expressing, please discuss with your supervisor in your pre-return planning meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The trust action card on ‘Support for Breast Feeding mothers’ can be accessed here
Cheltenham General Hospital staff Expressing Room
“Staff expressing room” (2.16) in the stairwell on the 3rd floor of Alexandra House.
Please contact via email on ghn-tr.2020@nhs.net for the door code
Gloucester Royal Hospital staff Expressing Room
It’s on between levels 2 and 3 accessed off the tower stairwell sign on door “ Staff expressing room”.
Please contact via email on ghn-tr.2020@nhs.net for the door code
Further support and guidance can be obtained via the 2020 Staff Advice and Support Hub who can be contacted on tel 0300 422 2020 or via email on ghn-tr.2020@nhs.net
Health Education England: Advice on Breastfeeding Legal Rights - Factsheet
NHS Guidance: Breastfeeding and work
Peer mentoring
We can match you with a peer mentor to help support you, if you:
- are due to return to practice
- have recently returned to practice
Some of our peer supporters have formal mentoring training, while others are previous returners with shared experience.
Email us at ghn-tr.supporttfellow@nhs.net for more information.
Less than full time (LTFT) working
If you are planning to return to work LTFT it is important to liaise early with your department and rota co-ordinator in order to plan your rota. We require at least 16 weeks notice of a change and hours recognising that we must provide you with at least 8 weeks notice of any changes to your work schedule in line with the Rota Code of Practice.
Some departments have LTFT templates whilst other departments will require a bespoke rota for individual trainees. Once your rota plan has been agreed with yourself and your department, please email to Karen Baldwin (Medical Staffing: ghn-tr.medical.staffing@nhs.net). She will check that the rota is compliant and notify pay roll.
Email address for trust approval of LTFT applications
For a list of current Rota Co-ordinators please click here
Our SuppoRTT team
SuppoRTT Champion & LTFT Lead, Dr Leena Nathwani
If you are a trainee or an educational supervisor who needs advice or help arranging a supported return to work, email ghn-tr.supporttchampion@nhs.net or ghn-tr.ltftchampion@nhs.net
SuppoRTT clinical fellow, Vacant post
If you have questions about SuppoRTT, want to request a peer mentor, or concerns about your own experience, email ghn-tr.supporttfellow@nhs.net
SuppoRTT and PGME Administrator, Suveetha Prakash
If you are due to return or have recently returned to training and haven’t been contacted by the SuppoRTT team, please email Suveetha Prakash or call 0300 422 3058