School Student
What's surgery like?
Training
Less than full time training (sometimes also known as flexible training) is intended to aid the retention of trainee doctors in the NHS who might otherwise leave because they are unable to take up full-time appointments, for reasons such as care of dependants, national sporting commitments, etc. According to the West Midlands deanery, studies of both hospital doctors and General Practitioners show that part-timers are happier and more enthusiastic than their full-time colleagues. Less than full time trainees can return to full-time training at any stage providing there is availability of a full time slot (sometimes, there could be up to 12 -18 month wait for this).
There are eligibility requirements for those trainees wishing to enter less than full time training, and the process for arranging less than full time training can be lengthy. It is advisable to start the process of applying for, and arranging less than full time training as early as is possible. Also bear in mind that it will take you longer to complete your training if you are not working full time.
The College’s flexible training adviser, Janet Walls, and her deputy, Colette Marshall, are available as a source of advice and information to those contemplating less than full time training in surgery and to those involved in setting up less than full time training programmes, encouraging training programme directors to recognise the benefits of less than full time training and to publicise the option of training flexibly. You can contact Miss Walls or Ms Marshall via email.
You can also discuss less than full time training in surgery at the “not just a surgeon” website and discussion forum.
