Deferments

Recruitment to a Specialty Post: Deferments

KSS Deanery SWT provides full guidance on deferring the start of specialty training. A summary of the guidance is provided below. For Coupled specialtiesthe start of training may be deferred on statutory grounds (e.g. maternity leave, ill health), or to enable the doctor to complete research for a registered higher degree which they have already commenced or for which they have already been accepted at the time of being offered their clinical placement. For Uncoupled specialties requests can be made forstatutory grounds (e.g. maternity leave, ill health) only.

Trainees appointed to FTSTAs and core/uncoupled programmes cannot defer the start of their fixed term appointment for the purpose of undertaking a higher degree. Section 6 of the Gold Guide contains a section on deferring. (v3 p34)

Trainees requesting the deferral of the start date of specialty training will need to do so in good time. This should normally be immediately after being offered a training post, but must be at least one month before the initial date of commencement. A maximum deferral time of 36 months can be considered for specialties. Further information is available from the KSS Deanery web-site. The Trainee or the Medical Workforce Project Manager/Officer must complete a Deferral Form in full before the HoS can grant a deferral. The relevant HoS will need to sign the completed form, which then constitutes the agreement to defer the date of commencement.The HoS should seek the views of the TPD and Medical Workforce Project Manager/Officer before making a decision. An appeal of the decision may be made to KSS Deanery within 10 working days of receipt.

The Hos, TPD and Medical Workforce Project Manager/Officer are responsible for ensuring the trainee requesting a deferral receives a decision and the placement is filled by a reserve or other suitable candidate as soon as is practicable. Communications with the trainee should be led by the Medical Workforce Project Manager/Officer and should be stored within the trainee’s file.

The trainee is responsible for keeping the relevant specialty school informed of any changes in circumstances which could affect the date of commencement and should ensure that the specialty school has an up-to-date contact address and e-mail address for the duration of the deferment.