Planning Your Return

In the 8-12 weeks before your return to work, it is important to meet with your TPD or Educational supervisor. The meeting can help you plan for the remaining weeks before your return to training, and also make a mutually agreeable plan for the first weeks after your return to work.

Using the *NEW* online Pre-Return form to guide you, this meeting should include discussions on the following:

• Whether you wish to attend any return to training activities (RTT-A) in the remaining weeks before your return to work.
• Formalising your return to work date, based on accrued annual leave (including any added from attending RTT-A during this period) and any individual factors which need to be considered.
• An up-to-date health assessment (if required)
• An agreement on the anticipated period of phased return and / or enhanced supervision (anticipated as usually 2-6 weeks in the AOMRC guidance)
• Confirmation of LTFT or FT status planned on RTT
• List of mandatory requirements e.g. resuscitation and safeguarding
• The clinical activities of the enhanced supervision period (e.g. ward work, surgery / outpatient work, home visits, emergency work, out of hours work etc.)
• The assessment methods for the enhanced supervision period (e.g. SLEs, direct observations, simulation scenarios, senior team feedback, peer feedback etc.)

Some useful links which may be helpful as you plan your return to training are: 

•    AoMRC Planning a Return to Practice Recommended Questions and Actions
•    SuppoRTT Guidance
•    Individualised Action Planner

What should a trainee expect when they return to training?

The TPD/FPD/Supervisor, Service Lead, Rota Coordinator and HR department must be aware of the return date and must plan an initial induction session for the trainee. This should include:

•     Essential Employer induction (security, ID badges, Parking etc.)
•     A plan of activities for the first week
•     Awareness of key policy or procedural changes
•     Awareness of new personnel
•     Awareness of key new equipment

The trainee should not be on any part of the rota which would mean they are working without senior supervision during this period (for many specialties this would mean no nights or on-calls)

It is the responsibility of the TPD or ES to ensure that medical staffing and rota coordinators have this information and adhere to this plan.

It is the responsibility of the TPD or ES to ensure that all clinical supervisors who will be working with the trainee at the point of their return are aware of their requirement for enhanced supervision.

Please click here for more information about enhanced supervision.

Page updated 4th January 2024