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Flexible training - Report of the BMA led working party on flexible training

July 2003

Foreword
Flexible training for doctors has been available for over 20 years in one form or another, and has existed in its current form for 10. As the profile of flexible training has been raised, along with awareness of the scheme, increasing numbers of doctors are training flexibly. A number of concerns and issues have become more prominent, and this led to the British Medical Association (BMA) holding the first forum on flexible training in May 1999. This event, which has now become an annual occurrence, is attended by junior doctors currently training flexibly or with an interest in flexible training, under the auspices of the BMA and with formal links to the junior doctors committee (JDC).

As a result of debate and discussion on issues such as onerous working, increasing workloads, implementation of new working patterns and increasing numbers of female medical graduates, the annual JDC forum on flexible training called on the BMA in May 2000 to establish a working party on flexible training. The annual representatives meeting agreed and the JDC was asked to coordinate the establishment of this working party. The remit of the flexible training working party was to 'collect examples of best practice and publish guidelines to promote the development of uniformity and quality of access, pay, funding and training for flexible trainees.'

It could not have come at a more crucial time, with the NHS needing all the doctors it can get in order to implement NHS Plan commitments and deliver improved services. Flexible training makes an important contribution to this by retaining doctors in training who might otherwise quit the NHS because of their other commitments. It is also an essential element in facilitating the return of doctors much needed by the NHS.

On 1 July 2000, the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations came into force. They make it unlawful for employers to treat part-time workers less favourably than comparable workers. The DTI stresses that these new regulations are based not only on principles of equality but also on the strong economic case for training, and retaining in the workforce, motivated and talented individuals.

Flexible training is essential to current medical training and will undoubtedly influence the future shape of both the medical workforce and working practice.

Dr Jo Hilborne
Joint chairperson

Dr Kym Hildyard
Joint chairperson