Trainee information
In Scotland we are committed and keen to encourage Less-Than-Full-Time (LTFT) training in the Scottish Foundation School and adhere to the relevant regulations as set out in the Gold Guide V10 (August 2024).
The operational arrangements to allow LTFT training in Foundation are potentially complex and are detailed below. There is no guarantee that a doctor can be placed in any specific programme. All placements are the result of discussion with all parties.
All applications for LTFT will require confirmation of eligibility by the Foundation Programme Director (FPD) in the first instance. The LTFT form should be sent to the programme FPD who will meet the foundation doctor to discuss what options are available including location of programmes. This will include close liaison with the relevant Placement Board.
It is important to note that even if eligibility is confirmed, foundation doctors need to be aware that:
Additional operational issues apply to the following:
LTFT is based on the assumption that a complete year at LTFT will be required. In exceptional circumstances, completion of alternative time blocks will be considered but always based on complete WTE 4-month blocks. This will usually only occur when an individual is returning from maternity leave partway through a year. It may only be possible to return to work at the beginning of a 4-month rotation due to the requirement to fill a slot.
If a foundation doctor has completed less than one block WTE in F1 before moving to LTFT, then they will always be required to complete a full 12 months WTE before moving to F2.
Wherever possible, LTFT will be maintained at the same LEP unit (as dictated by the current WTE programme) throughout the required time to completion. Occasionally this may not be possible and the Associate Postgraduate Dean (Foundation) in conjunction with the relevant Director of Medical Education (DME) will agree an alternative programme.
LTFT during F1 cannot be linked to a specific F2 programme therefore posts during F2 for the continuation of LTFT are subject to both suitability and availability and preferences cannot always be met either for the specialties involved or the geographical situation of the posts.
Foundation doctors will be expected to rotate at the same time as standard trainees to ensure they receive appropriate induction. This may require moving every 4 or 8 months. We are unable to support out-of-sync rotations.
The expectation, as for F1, will be for completion of 1-year WTE and the amount worked will be agreed with your FPD and Associate Postgraduate Dean (Foundation). Foundation doctors will be expected to rotate at the same time as standard trainees to ensure they receive appropriate induction. This may require moving every 4 or 8 months. We are unable to support out-of-sync rotations.
It is anticipated that a programme will be identified that is suitable for LTFT training.
Assessments
All foundation doctors who are working LTFT will be required to complete assessments and requirements for completion for each foundation year on a pro rata basis. The minimum requirements will be the same as for full-time doctors on a pro rata basis.
However, there will be a requirement for an end of placement review form completed by the Educational Supervisor for each placement. This will probably mean that there will have more End of Placement Reviews than full-time doctors. All foundation doctors will receive an ARCP every calendar year. The outcome will be based upon the progress they have made in relation to the training time.
All foundation doctors working flexibly will be reviewed at the end of the foundation programme year to ascertain progress and review of LTFT working circumstances.
At this review, discussion will also take place on working pattern and locations for the next year.
This page was last updated on: 08.04.2025 at 10.01