Returning to Work after Extended Leave
Returning to work after extended leave is a difficult time for any trainee. There are many reasons for extended leave and the following processes have been developed with those multiple reasons in mind. This piece of work has been undertaken as part of the Once for Scotland DDiT work stream.
A SLWG was formed in May 2021 to look at the best process for returning to work and recommendations were made to the DDiT steering group. Following further consultation, the documents attached were signed off by the DDiT steering group.
The key principles of the documents are –
- Trainee centred
- Trainee /TPD discussion prior to planned leave
- Trainee / TPD discussion as soon as practicable / appropriate during a period of unplanned leave
- Transfer of information checklist to be completed by TPD following discussion with trainee
- Decision to rotate or not is based on discussion with trainee / TPD but there is no assumption that rotation is automatic
- Pragmatic dates of return to allow the trainee to be supported to succeed – e.g., not planning a return to work on Christmas day when induction arrangements are unlikely to be in place
- One point of contact within each health board for the trainee
- Checklist on return to work to be undertaken by nominated HB office / point of contact
This is a new process which has been in discussion for some time and the documents are to support a successful return to work. There will be instances where there may not be a flowchart to indicate the correct process – we welcome feedback about any situations we have not taken account of.
The BMA have reviewed the process and are comfortable with the documents:
1: Flowcharts of RTW Processes
3: RTW DDiT Transfer of Information
Lindsay Donaldson
On behalf of the Return to Work SLWG
Dr Lindsay Donaldson – Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Medical Education