Time Out of Programme
Time Out of Programme
Information on this page is for General Practice, and Hospital and Community Care Resident Roctors. Dentists should contact the dental team for further information.
Important
Please read the following carefully before downloading the application form and guidance notes available at the bottom of this page.
Absences from the training programme to undertake time out of programme for clinical training (OOPT), research (OOPB), clinical experience (OOPE), pause (OOPP) or career breaks (OOPC) must be approved by the Postgraduate Dean or their deputy on the advice of the relevant Specialty School.
Applicants are therefore advised to discuss their proposals as early as possible with their Training Programme Director.
All resident doctors in training must give at least six months’ notice of intention to take time out of programme and all resident doctors are therefore advised to think about taking time out of programme well in advance of the intended date.
They should seek the advice of their Educational Supervisor and Training Programme Director so that it can be considered at Annual Review, as part of learning objectives for the forthcoming year. This is particularly important if the time out of programme will count towards training and GMC approval is required.
On This Page
Approval of Applications
Please note
Failure to comply with the 6 month notice rule may result in GMC approval being delayed and your time out of programme not being eligible to count towards the award of CCT.
Incomplete applications missing documentation or signatures will be returned to applicants for completion. Therefore, please ensure that you have completed all sections of the form and included all requested paperwork to avoid delays to your application being processed.
Time out of programme will not normally be agreed until a resident doctor has been in a training programme for at least one year, unless deferral of the start of the programme has been agreed for statutory reasons.
OOPs may be considered in the final year of training if the resident doctor is on track for an ARCP outcome 6.
If your request to take time out of programme is refused, you can submit an appeal in writing to the Postgraduate Dean within 10 working days of confirmation of refusal, stating the reasons for your appeal. The non ARCP appeal process will apply.
Categories of OOP
Acting Up as a Consultant
There is also a separate application process for Acting Up as a Consultant - please refer to the Acting Up as a Consultant (AUC) Application Form and AUC Guidance notes.
Out of Programme for Clinical Training
OOP for Clinical Training (OOPT) - allows the resident doctor to spend time in clinical training that has been prospectively approved by the GMC, and which is not part of the resident doctor's specialty training programme. This includes time 'acting-up' as a consultant.
The duration of OOPT will normally be for a period of up to 12 months (‘acting up’ is limited to 3 months and can only take place in the final year of the programme).
Out of Programme for Clinical Research
OOP for Clinical Research (OOPR) - allows the resident doctor to undertake research, normally for a higher registerable degree, e.g. PhD. Time spent out of programme for research purposes can be recognised towards the award of CCT when the relevant curriculum includes such research as an optional element.
The duration of OOPR is normally up to a maximum of 3 years, with a 4 year maximum in exceptional circumstances, which requires the prospective approval of the Postgraduate Dean.
Out of Programme for Clinical Experience
OOP for Clinical Experience (OOPE) - allows the resident doctor to gain clinical experience, which is not a requirement of the specialty training programme curriculum. This does not require prospective GMC approval and does not count towards CCT. This includes working overseas in developing countries.
The duration of OOPE will normally be for a period of up to 12 months.
Out of Programme for Career Break
OOP for Career Break (OOPC) - allows the resident doctor to take a planned career break to pursue other interests (e.g. domestic responsibilities, work in industry, developing talents in other areas and entrepreneurship).
The duration of OOPC is normally for a period of up to 12 months, with a second year only allowed at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dean.
Out of Programme Pause
Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) - allows resident doctors in specialty training to step off the training ladder and undertake work in the NHS or a similar patient-facing role in the UK.
Experience and competences gained outside of training may be then considered on their return to the training programme.
Royal Colleges/Faculties/GMC
If your time out of programme is to count towards your CCT you will need to liaise with your relevant Royal College/Faculty to obtain a letter of support and recommendation.
All periods of unpaid leave/time out of programme that are intended to count towards CCT must also have the prospective approval of the GMC. The School team will facilitate this, where relevant, once approval for the time out of programme has been granted.
If the time spent out of programme for research or training is not required to count towards the award of a CCT, then GMC approval or involvement is not necessary, but it should be noted that the GMC will NOT consider time out of programme towards a CCT if prior approval has not been given.
For more information on what is required for Royal College/Faculty support, please visit their website:
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST)
Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB)
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Royal College of Emergency Medicine
Royal College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Royal College of Pathologists (search for "OOP")
Royal College of Psychiatrists
NHS Pensions Scheme
Resident doctors who wish to undertake a period of unpaid leave/OOP and wish to remain in the NHS Pension Scheme are now required to maintain their pension contributions.
Months 1-6
For the first six months out of programme, the resident doctor will be required to pay via standing order/direct debit the amount that would have been deducted in respect of employees' pension had they remained on the payroll.
Months 7-24
From months 7-24, if the resident doctor wishes to remain in the NHS Pension Scheme, they become liable for both the employees and employers pension contributions and will be required to pay these as detailed above.
Months 24+
Resident doctors taking OOP for a period longer than 24 months will be required to take a break in service after the 24 months period is concluded.
Resident doctors employed by another NHS organisation whilst taking time OOP can continue payments with the receiving organisation. Resident doctors who become employed by a University may also be able to maintain NHS pension scheme membership under a Direction arrangement. The University can pay pension contributions under the direction arrangements to the NHS pension scheme
Further detail on these changes to the NHS Pension Scheme can be found here:
NHS Pensions Employer Newsletter July 2010
Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship
If you are on a Tier 2 visa please read the 'Out of Programme (OOP) and your sponsorship' guidance
For the majority of resident doctors on a tier 2 visa going OOP, sponsorship will be withdrawn for the duration of the OOP. This will affect your employment status.
You must inform the National Overseas Sponsorship Team of any change in circumstances by completing a Reporting form or emailing england.sponsorship@nhs.net
Contacts and Further Information
If you have any specific queries relating to time out of programme, please contact your Specialty School Team via the email addresses below.
For further detailed information on time out of programme, please consult Section 3 (3.143-3.176) of the Gold Guide version 10.
For all queries relating to the NHS Pension Scheme, please contact your relevant payroll department.
Please return all OOP application forms and supporting documents to the relevant school email inbox listed below.
| Specialty School | Email inbox |
|---|---|
| ACCS | england.accsem.nw@nhs.net |
| Anaestheisa | england.anaesthesia.nw@nhs.net |
| Emergency Medicine | england.accsem.nw@nhs.net |
| Intensive Care Medicine | england.icm.nw@nhs.net |
| General Practice | england.gprotations@nhs.net |
| Medicine | england.medicine.nw@nhs.net |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | england.obsgyn.nw@nhs.net |
| Ophthalmology | england.ophthalmology.nw@nhs.net |
| Paediatrics | england.paediatrics.nw@nhs.net |
| Pathology | england.pathology.nw@nhs.net |
| Public Health | england.PublicHealthNW@nhs.net |
| Psychiatry | england.psychiatry.nw@nhs.net |
| Radiology | engalnd.radiology.nw@nhs.net |
| Surgery | england.surgery.nw@nhs.net |
Application Form and Policies
Policies and Guidance
Hospital Specialty Resident Doctors - Policy and Process for Out of Programme Applications
Acting Up as a Consultant (AUC) Guidance notes
Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) - How-to Guide for Doctors in Training
Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) - Phase 3 FAQs
Forms
Please ensure that you download and familiarise yourself with the guidelines prior to making your application.
Please ensure ALL sections are completed.
If you wish to extend your current period of OOP, please complete the relevant section of the OOP Application form below.
OOP Cancellation and Curtailment form
Acting Up as a Consultant (AUC) Application Form
Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) Initiation and Scope of Practice Monitoring Form
GP RESIDENT DOCTORS ONLY - Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) Initiation and Scope of Practice Monitoring Form
Last updated: 14 August 2025