Guide for organising Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training for general practice

It takes time and effort to organise a LTFT training post and trainees are advised to plan ahead wherever possible. This provides a brief summary but is not an exhaustive guide. All trainees considering LTFT training should refer to specific sections of the LTFT handbook (see menu to the right) where there is in depth information on planning and arranging a post.

GP specialist training takes place both in the Primary Care and Secondary Care setting. ITP posts cannot be undertaken on an LTFT basis. Currently LTFT posts must be at least 50% of full time for general practice training.

In Secondary Care Training posts approved for GP Training LTFT trainees are recommended to work in slot shares with 1 or 2 other LTFT trainees. A secondary care post needs to be at least 3 months whole time equivalent to count towards approved training experience.

1) Eligibility for flexible training: There are specific criteria for eligibility which are clearly stated in the handbook. Eligibility does not guarantee a secondary care LTFT placement as there needs to be a suitable training post vacancy to place the LTFT trainee. The same eligibility criteria apply for trainees who wish to be LTFT in their GP posts. This is subject to finding a trainer willing to take a part time GP Registrar.

2) Access to LTFT training posts: All trainees applying for GP training (LTFT or full time) are interviewed under equal opportunities.

Doctors can enter LTFT training through the following routes:

a) Apply for a Specialist Training Scheme through the London Deanery centralised recruitment process. Adverts appear in the BMJ in January for August starts and August for February starts. Request LTFT training once appointed to a GP programme. Please refer to the GP National Recruitment website at http://www.gprecruitment.org.uk for exact dates and applicant guidance.

b)  Apply for LTFT training at any point in their approved 3 year GP training programme. 

Those who are successful in gaining a GP training place and who declare the wish to train LTFT are invited to go forward and organise a placement by contacting the LTFT GP Clinical Advisor.

3) Organising a LTFT training post: All ST1 and ST2 trainees in secondary care GP training placements are invited for an eligibility interview if they request LTFT training, either at commencement of a GP training scheme or at the point of the trainee requesting LTFT GP training. This is arranged by contacting the LTFT administrator Mr Alan Evans.

Organising Secondary care LTFT GP Specialty Training posts

After contact with the Training Programme director, trainees are encouraged to meet with GP LTFT clinical advisor, to confirm eligibility and to identify suitable slot shares based on the recommended criteria for a broad and balanced training programme. Applications are made to the Flexible Training Office and funding agreed. The LTFT GP clinical Advisor requires an approved Flexible Training Application form, a Personal development Plan and Clinical Timetable for the post to be educationally approved.

There are 3 ways of working as an LTFT trainee:

• The LTFT trainee takes up a full time post on reduced sessions. This is the preferred option but is subject to agreement with the Trust.
• Two or three LTFT trainees occupy one full time post (slot sharing). Each trainee can do more than 50%.
• Supernumerary flexible training post are only very occasionally used in GP LTFT training posts and is subject to funding being available.

Organising Practice Based GP Specialty Training posts

The same eligibility criteria apply for trainees who wish to be LTFT in their GP posts. This is subject to finding a trainer willing to take a part time GP Registrar. Salary is pro rata of a full time GP Registrar salary.

Gaining educational approval for LTFT general practice training posts

This has to be done for each individual LTFT training post even where the full time post already has approval for GP training.

• Secondary care GP posts

The proposed timetable (educational and clinical) and PDP for each slot sharing LTFT trainee and the name of the consultant educational supervisor should be sent to Dr Suni Perera Associate Director (Clinical LTFT advisor) for educational approval.
 

• GP Practice Training posts

LTFT trainees in GP posts first apply to their Workforce Officer and a GP timetable is then submitted to Dr Suni Perera the LTFT Clinical Advisor, for educational approval.

Who's Who

General Questions

Questions about the clinical and educational content of posts and programmes