Inter-Regional Transfers (IRT) & Inter-Deanery Transfers (IDT)

Doctors in Training may experience an unforeseen or significant change in their personal circumstances which means they require a transfer out of their current region or Deanery. This could, for example, be due to disability, ill health, mental health, primary carer responsibilities, parental/guardian responsibilities, or a committed relationship. In August 2022, a further criterion was introduced whereby Doctors in Training can apply for a transfer for any reason without having to demonstrate a change in personal circumstances which supports the Enhancing Junior Doctors’ Working Lives initiative. 

There are two processes to facilitate and support transfers. The Inter-Regional Transfer (IRT) process and the Inter-Deanery (IDT process). The two processes can often be confused, and we hope this brief article will help provide clarification and further information on both the IRT and IDT routes. 

Inter-Regional Transfers (IRT) 

This process is for Doctors in Training who wish to transfer from one region to another within Scotland. This process is managed centrally by the IRT team in the Scotland Deanery and there are two application windows for a transfer in either February or August. The applications will be considered by strategic leads of the NES Medical Directorate. If eligible, the IRT team will contact the Deanery Administrator who will check with the Programme Director whether an IRT can be facilitated. For applicants who are eligible, but cannot be accommodated due to training capacity, the IRT team will check monthly with local teams on whether capacity has become available. The applicant will remain on the ‘waiting list’ until the next application window when the applicant would then require to re-apply if still looking for a transfer. 

Further information on the IRT process can be found here. 

If you have any queries with regards to the IRT process, please contact irt@nes.scot.nhs.uk.  

Inter-Deanery Transfers (IDT) 

This process is for Doctors in Training who wish a transfer in or out of their current Deanery. This can include trainees who are currently in Scotland and wish to move to another part of the UK, or trainees currently in another part of the UK who wish to transfer to Scotland. This process is managed centrally by the National IDT Team in London on behalf of the four nations. There are again two application windows to transfer in either February or August. The applications will be considered by the National IDT Team and, if eligible for a transfer, Deaneries will receive ‘vacancy declarations’ of incoming and outgoing applicants to advise on whether they can facilitate an IDT. The Deanery Administrator will contact Programme Directors to check whether an IDT can be accommodated. Eligible applicants, who are not offered an IDT, will be placed on a ‘waiting list’ until the next application window when the applicant would, again, require to re-apply if desired. 

Further information on the IDT process can be found here. 

If you have any queries with regards to the IDT process, please contact the Scotland regional contacts nes.idt@nhs.scot. 

Please note:  

• At no time during the application or allocation process should Doctors in Training contact the region or Deanery in which they have applied for a transfer into.
• Programme Directors are not obligated to accept a transfer and will consider a number of factors such as training and service capacity when reaching a decision.
• Trainees must have 12 calendar months remaining in training to be eligible to apply.
• There is a separate process for Foundation Transfers, further information on this can be found here.
• The IRT and IDT processes listed above do not apply to Dental or Military Doctors in Training.
• The Scotland Deanery aim to match the IRT process against the IDT process to ensure fairness and consistency in approach. The IRT process is reviewed periodically in line with any upcoming changes to the IDT process.