Guidance regarding trainee requests to change post 

Background

Some training programmes are receiving increasing requests to change posts by existing trainees. Trainees perception is that the training programmes are not full and so any change should be easy. 

When trainees join the programme they are allocated a balanced rotation that meets their training needs and this takes into consideration their preferences. They sign to accept this when they join the programme.

Information for trainees

When allocating training practices and hospital rotations we try to ensure these rotations reflect your personal choices and your educational needs, matching these as best we can with those posts and placements which are available to the training programme. We aim to do this as fairly as possible, balancing the needs of everyone in the year group and existing trainees. We also have an obligation to ensure our hospital posts are evenly filled to ensure continuity in service provision for patients and that our allocations also take into account the needs and experience of our GP  trainers, Whilst every effort is made to meet your needs and preferences, some compromises may be needed. It is the task of the Lead Training Programme Director /Training Programme Coordinator to decide how to do this fairly and the LTPD’s decision is final.

All jobs run consecutively and the changeover dates follow dates set by the hospital trusts for hospital posts. Unfortunately this means you may not change your training programme rotation unless there are extenuating circumstances which have developed since commencing on the programme

As changes occur within trusts and GP practices, there may be occasions during the course of your training when we need to alter your programme. In the event of this happening, we will ensure that your training meets the requirements of the curriculum and certification and will liaise with you with as much flexibility as is available to us. 

Policy 

Requests to change posts will only be considered in extenuating circumstances, similar to the advice on Inter-deanery transfers. The LTPD will exercise judgement and make a final decision .