Source: HEIW

Annual Leave – Holidays

Study Leave

GP trainees in a 6-month GP Practice placement are entitled to 30 sessions of Study Leave, 23 of which are already incorporated into the half day release (HDR). Therefore, a total of 7 Study Leave sessions remain for courses, to write up research and leave to sit examinations per calendar year) Time for private study is deducted from the Study Leave allowance and is limited to 5 sessions per 6 month post.

HDR is mandatory attendance and is monitored by the local education team, who will check absent trainees are on approved leave e.g. annual leave or sickness leave.

During any break in the GPST HDR this session should remain an educational session. It can be used in a self-directed manner or for targeted educational activity in agreement between the trainee and trainer, i.e. the trainee still has seven clinical and three educational sessions that week.

When trainees take leave during the week the ratio of clinical: educational sessions should be maintained with flexibility being exercised by both the practice and the trainee when required. A suggested and appropriate balance for any given week might be:

5 Day working week: 7 clinical: 3 educational sessions

  • 4 Day working week: 6 clinical: 2 educational sessions
  • 3 Day working week: 4 clinical: 2 educational sessions
  • 2 Day working week: 3 clinical: 1 educational session
  • 1 Day working week: 2 clinical: 0 educational sessions

 

Examples of acceptable use of study leave

  • Leave to sit examinations (limited to 2 attempts per calendar year)
  • Time to write up research
  • Private Study (limited to 10 sessions in a 12-month post & 5 sessions in a 6-month post)
  • Courses and webinars that supplement areas of the GP Curriculum e.g., Child Health Surveillance, Minor Surgery, GP Hot Topics. (In the case of online training that can be           undertaken at any time, trainees are advised to complete training on a scheduled working day      and to request the appropriate Study Leave time)
  • Subscriptions to GP CPD Programmes e.g., Red Whale GP CPD
  • Diplomas e.g., Sexual Health & DRCOG
  • Attendance at RCGP Conferences

 

Examples of unacceptable use of study leave

  • Courses and conferences held overseas (these may be granted in exceptional circumstances)
  • Attendance at conferences of other specialties
  • Pursuing special medical interests with less relevance to the GP Curriculum
  • Trainees who act as representatives on professional committees should apply for Professional Leave.
  • Trainees who assist with teaching/assessing at medical schools should apply for Professional Leave.