SuppoRTT FAQs | AKT Preparation for GP Trainees | The Primary Care Knowledge Boost Podcast |
5. What reason might a GPST be OOP?
6. Why is it important to follow the SuppoRTT process?
7. Who should have a supported return to training?
8. What about Academic trainees (ACFs)?
9. What about GPSTs who are LTFT (Less Than Full Time)?
10. What about international medical graduates (IMGs)?
12. What meetings are required for the SuppoRTT process?
13. Where can I find the relevant SuppoRTT meeting forms?
14. Who should undertake SuppoRTT meetings with GPSTs?
15. What is the difference between a phased return to training and a supported return to training?
16. What courses should be considered as part of an individualised SuppoRTT plan?
17. Which courses can GPSTs undertake as part of the SuppoRTT process?
18. How do trainees apply for KIT/SPLIT and SRTT days and funding?
19. What assessments should be undertaken as part of an individualised SuppoRTT plan?
19a. Actions following the SuppoRTT meetings
20. Why should GPSTs upload SuppoRTT forms to their e-portfolio?
21. How can I learn more about the SuppoRTT process?
1. What is SuppoRTT? |
Supported Return to Training or SuppoRTT is a structured and systematic process for planned exit and re-entry to training and maintaining contact whilst on leave. It is part of a National, funded HEE programme to support all trainees to return to training safely and confidently after a sustained period of absence. |
2. What does RTT stand for? |
Return to training. |
3. What does OOP mean? |
Out of programme. |
4. What does TOOT stand for? |
Time out of training. |
5. What reason might a GPST be OOP? |
See https://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/time-out-programme for explanation of the above categories. |
6. Why is it important to follow the SuppoRTT process? |
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7. Who should have a supported return to training? |
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8. What about Academic trainees (ACFs)? |
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For example, a full-time trainee, who has been OOP for 12/12, would generally have 4/52 of individualised SuppoRTTed training. An LTFT trainee working at 50% would, therefore, require 8/52 of a tailored SuppoRTT plan. |
10. What about international medical graduates (IMGs)? |
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12. What meetings are required for the SuppoRTT process? |
This should take place 8-12 weeks prior to your exit from the training programme whenever possible. This should lay out plans for your return and set a tentative return date. Share information about courses and ways of keeping up to date while away Help to understand KIT/SPLIT/RTT days. Ensure up-to-date contact details are available to keep in touch with you while you’re away from your usual workplace.
This should take place 8-12 weeks prior to your return into training. This should include an up-to-date health assessment (if required). This should include agreement on the anticipated period of return and/or enhanced supervision (anticipated as usually 1 week per every 3 months off; usual max 4/52 unless exceptional circumstances when 6/52). Confirmation of LTFT or FT status planned on return to training (RTT). Should list 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. supervised learning events (SLEs), direct observations, CBD/COTs, simulation scenarios, senior team feedback, peer feedback etc.)
This should take place 2 weeks after your return to training or at the end of your agreed period of Enhanced Supervision, if longer. Mutual agreement about whether you are ready to “restart the clock” on training and commence usual duties. Discuss any ongoing learning needs you might have. |
13. Where can I find the relevant SuppoRTT meeting forms? |
https://nwpgmd.nhs.uk/supportt-process |
14. Who should undertake SuppoRTT meetings with GPSTs? |
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15. What is the difference between a phased return to training and a supported return to training? |
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16. What courses should be considered as part of an individualised SuppoRTT plan? |
If returning to GP post, consider:
If returning to an O&G post, consider a Womens’ Health update course. If returning to Paediatrics, consider a GP focused paediatric update course. If returning to Psychiatry, consider a mental health update course. |
17. Which courses can GPSTs undertake as part of the SuppoRTT process? |
There is a list of pre-approved courses, please see School Approved Activities. As RTT plans should be individual other core GP specific courses can be approved if thought to be relevant by the educator undertaking the pre- return RTT meeting. The list is periodically updated, and educators should be familiar with it. |
18. How do trainees apply for KIT/SPLIT and SRTT days and funding? |
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19. What assessments should be undertaken as part of an individualised SuppoRTT plan? |
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19a. Actions following the SuppoRTT meetings |
A copy of the form should be uploaded to the trainee’s portfolio and also shared with: The Educational Supervisor. The current Clinical Supervisor. Lead employer lead.employer@sthk.nhs.uk The TPD (if he/she is not undertaking the meeting) The local programme administrator The local Trust SuppoRTT Champion if secondary care The GP School SuppoRTT Champion The Head of School Robert.Stokes@hee.nhs.uk
A copy of the form should be uploaded to the trainee’s portfolio and also shared with: The Educational Supervisor The Clinical Supervisor in the returning post Lead employer lead.employer@sthk.nhs.uk The TPD (if he/she is not undertaking the meeting) The local programme administrator The local Trust SuppoRTT champion if next post in secondary care The GP School SuppoRTT Champion The Head of School Robert.Stokes@hee.nhs.uk
A copy of the form should be uploaded to the trainee’s portfolio and also shared with: The Education supervisor The current clinical supervisor The GPST who should upload a copy onto their portfolio The TPD (if he/she is not undertaking the meeting) The local programme administrator The GP School SuppoRTT Champion The local Trust SuppoRTT champion if secondary care If there are any concerns these should be shared with: Lead Employer lead.employer@sthk.nhs.uk The Head of School Robert.Stokes@hee.nhs.uk |
20. Why should GPSTs upload SuppoRTT forms to their e-portfolio? |
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21. How can I learn more about the SuppoRTT process? |
https://nwpgmd.nhs.uk/supportt-educators |
AKT Preparation for GP Trainees |
The AKT is a mandatory exam for MRCGP and it is a computer marked paper testing APPLICATION of knowledge in a general practice setting. Please see Preparing for the AKT for more information and tips on how pass the exam. |
The Primary Care Knowledge Boost Podcast (supported by HEE North West Primary Care School) |
As part of her role as Associate Dean in Health Education North West, Dr Alison Caldwell looks after GP trainees who sit the AKT and those that may fail. In this episode she shares her pearls of wisdom for preparing and sitting the AKT. It has lots of useful information for trainees and trainers including how to break down the curriculum and where to best focus learning as well as how to actually do that learning effectively. We also cover how to improve exam technique as well as useful resources and specific advice for those who have tried and failed the exam. Listening on a podcast app Listening via direct link |
SuppoRTT Videos (available to stream now) |
Meet a GP SuppoRTT Champion |
Trainee’s experiences of the SuppoRTT programme |
Please also visit our Trainee Resources page to see what is available for all trainees.
Page updated 16th September 2022