Other Courses, Study Leave and Section 63 claims 

 

Whilst the registrar year has a strong educational component, there is also a service commitment element and it may seem that 30 days a year taken out for the DRC, plus, for example, a further week for a Hospice secondment is reasonably generous. 

However, other learning opportunities may crop up and it may be possible to arrange extra study leave.

Two considerations apply though.

 

Firstly, agreement with your trainer. 

This is essential.  The general guidelines agreed by local trainers' groups are that through the whole year, Wednesday should be regarded as an educational day. 

Thus whilst 30 Wednesdays are taken up with the DRC, 20 are not (or perhaps 15 by the time holidays are extracted) and these days may be used for any reasonable (and documented) educational purpose, such as a project, specialist clinic attendance, audit or research.  It is also possible if you wish to take a straight week to attend a course, to barter Wednesdays, with your trainer - ie to work 3 or 4 Wednesdays in the practice in exchange for a full week of study leave.

 

Secondly, finance. 

Funds for GPR education are small and ever diminishing.  Limits have to be placed on financial help for registrars attending courses which charge a fee - even for such essentials as CHS and Minor Surgery courses. 

It is now necessary to apply to the Deanery well in advance of any course you wish to attend to see whether funding is available. The Director of General Practice  will do his best to ensure an even distribution of available funds but can only do so with advance application. 

The form for seeking this approval is available from Paula.

 

On a slightly brighter note, you should be able to claim travel and subsistence allowance for journeying to and from the DRC - so keep a careful note of mileage.  There is no need to seek prior approval for this. 

It is probably wise to put in a claim about every half term. 

 

Next page: Troubleshooting

 

Last update: 30 March 2005