Guidance on leaves in the NHS
As doctors working in the NHS, we are entitled to paid leave. The number of leaves allowed per year increases as we move up in our career.
We are not used to leaves in our home countries and are not familiar with the system here. I would like to give you a general idea about leaves. If you have any doubt, kindly talk to your rota coordinator and HR.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEAVES
What is annual leave?
Doctors are entitled to a certain number of days off in each year - This is usually divided in each rotations. Ie- if you have 3 rotations then you can take 9 days off in each rotation if you are entitled to 27 days off (as most non trainee SHOs are). Some trusts do allow cross over of days not taken in one rotation into the next. It is best you confirm this with your rota coordinator.
Please read this official guidance:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/leave-overview
What is study leave?
Doctors are entitled to take some days off for studying for exams, attending courses and conferences.
Some trusts reimburse the amount used to spend on courses and exams which is known as a study budget. You should ask about your study budget from your rota coordinator. International Medical Graduates use their study budget to reimburse their ALS course which they attend during their first few months in the NHS.
Please read this guidance:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/study-professional-and-special-leave
What are paternity/maternity leaves?
These are leaves for parents when a child is born.
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/working-parents/thinking-of-having-a-baby/nhs-doctors
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/working-parents/thinking-of-having-a-baby/paternity-leave
What other leaves do we get?
We get weekends off and also get national holidays off. If we work on national holidays we get lieu days off as mentioned here:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/public-holidays
These are called lieu days
We are not used to leaves in our home countries and are not familiar with the system here. I would like to give you a general idea about leaves. If you have any doubt, kindly talk to your rota coordinator and HR.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEAVES
What is annual leave?
Doctors are entitled to a certain number of days off in each year - This is usually divided in each rotations. Ie- if you have 3 rotations then you can take 9 days off in each rotation if you are entitled to 27 days off (as most non trainee SHOs are). Some trusts do allow cross over of days not taken in one rotation into the next. It is best you confirm this with your rota coordinator.
Please read this official guidance:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/leave-overview
What is study leave?
Doctors are entitled to take some days off for studying for exams, attending courses and conferences.
Some trusts reimburse the amount used to spend on courses and exams which is known as a study budget. You should ask about your study budget from your rota coordinator. International Medical Graduates use their study budget to reimburse their ALS course which they attend during their first few months in the NHS.
Please read this guidance:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/study-professional-and-special-leave
What are paternity/maternity leaves?
These are leaves for parents when a child is born.
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/working-parents/thinking-of-having-a-baby/nhs-doctors
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/working-parents/thinking-of-having-a-baby/paternity-leave
What other leaves do we get?
We get weekends off and also get national holidays off. If we work on national holidays we get lieu days off as mentioned here:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/public-holidays
These are called lieu days
I have heard that international medical graduates are not allowed to get any leaves
That is not true - we are entitled to annual leaves and lieu days as mentioned the aforementioned BMA guidelines.
STUDY LEAVE
I have been informed that I am not allowed any study leave.
Some trusts may not allow non trainee doctors to take study leave - kindly check your job contract again to confirm if this is true in your case or not. Also ask your non trainee colleagues.
ANNUAL LEAVE
How much leave am I entitled to?
This depends on your current position as mentioned here:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/leave-overview
So as a SHO, I am entitled to 27 days annual leave per year?
Yes, however some trusts allow 30 days days annual leave per year. So check your contract, local guidelines and ask your rota coordinator.
Does this include bank holidays and weekends?
No- Annual leave DOES NOT include bank holidays and weekends.
Can I take leave for a longer duration?
This depends on how well staffed your ward is. If there are 3 doctors on the ward and the minimum number is 2, you can take leave for a longer period of time.
What do you mean by longer periods?
If you take 5 days off in one week, 4 days during the next week and if Friday is a national holiday of some sort are and you are not working on the weekend , you can get a total of 16 days off.
How many annual leaves are we allowed?
It is usually 27 days annually with 9 days per rotation.
Can I take my whole leave in one go?
It may be possible depending on your trusts policies which will be available on the intranet. If you have any queries, ask your rota coordinator.
Why is it important to book leaves in advance?
Your colleagues working in the same ward may want to take leaves on the same day as you want to - if they have arranged leaves beforehand you will not be allowed to get leave if the ward does not have the minimum number of doctors.
How much in advance should I book my leave?
I usually book mine at the start of every rotation. If you do not have any rotations and are the same department for the whole year you can book your leaves a few months in advance.
Is this leave paid?
Yes- we are entitled to 27 days paid leave.
May I get leave as soon as I join?
Yes you can apply for leave as soon as you join however my advice is to take leave a few weeks or months into your job so that you are well settled in the NHS. You can certainly apply for your leave at the beginning of your job. However if you have a planned holiday, etc then you are allowed and no one should stop you. Make sure that you have informed the rota coordinator beforehand.
My consultant/ rota coordinator says that I am not allowed any leaves.
That is not possible. Go through your job contract again and you will see that you are allowed a certain number of leaves annually. You can also look at the official guidance here:
http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/agenda-for-change/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/annual-leave-and-public-holidays-section-13
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/leave-overview
Please make sure that whenever you discuss leaves with your rota coordinator, you send an email to him/her confirming that your leave has been approved. Face to face discussion are not enough.
This is what I usually do:
1. Email my rota coordinator about the dates which he then replies to. If he does not, I call him and request him to respond to the email.
2. Then I make sure that my leaves are mentioned in the rota. If they are not, I call him or personally go to him and ensure that my leaves have been added to the rota.
This is very important! Verbal discussions are not enough. Official correspondence via emails is the best way of ensuring that your leaves are approved so that you plan your trip, etc.
CALLING IN SICK
This is in no way considered a" leave" but I felt that it is important to clarify some points in this post.
This guideline may be helpful:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/gp-practices/employer-advisory-service/handbook/11-sickness-absence
http://www.nhsemployers.org/tchandbook/part-3-terms-and-conditions-of-service/section-14-sickness-absence-for-england-and-wales
What is calling in sick?
If you are ill then you should not come to work as you will not be able to manage patients properly and spread this if you have an infection.
What should I do if I am sick?
You should email your consultant and rota coordinator immediately. Call them at 9 AM as well to let them know.
What happens when someone is off sick?
If there is less than a minimum number of doctors on the ward/shift you are working in, then your rota coordinator will ask your other colleagues to try to cover your shift if their wards are adequately staffed. If that is not possible, then they may ask doctors to do a locum shift.
What is a locum shift?
This is a shift in which doctors are paid to work in the hospital.
This means that when someone is off sick, this is a problem for everyone.
Yes, it is. Which is why unless you are genuinely unwell, you should try to come to work. A mild sore throat or a muscle sprain should not warrant calling in sick.
What do I have to do other than informing my rota coordinator and consultant?
All trusts here may have different policies. Some may ask you get a letter from your GP, some may ask you to give a written explanation once you are well, etc. Please ask your rota coordinator and check the intranet of your trust for local policies on this.
I have to go home for 15 days. Can I use one day as sick leave as I am not allowed to get leave on that day as my ward is short staffed that day?
As you have read above, its a huge problem for everyone when someone calls in sick
The rota coordinator has to arrange cover.
Your colleagues who may have an otherwise easy day on their wards due to adequate staffing now may have to see patients who are completely new to them.
The trust needs to pay a doctor none of your colleagues working in other wards are able to provide cross cover.
So, everyone suffers.
Therefore, no! Do not make up sickness just to get a day off.
Will my consultant know if I have faked a sick leave?
Yes. Absolutely. Even your colleagues will know. You can tell when someone was actually sick and when someone has been faking it - working as a doctor for a couple of years give us this sense. Your colleagues/ consultants may also inform your supervisor about this if this happens on a regular basis.
Remember - never lie in this country. Everyone is very friendly but if you do something wrong, you will be in a lot of trouble.
And people can find out very easily. If you call in sick and then post pictures of sunbathing in Spain on social media, you will not be liked a lot by your colleagues and seniors and will be in serious trouble.
If you are still confused, search for local guidance on leaves in your trust and talk to your rota coordinator if you are confused.
That is not true - we are entitled to annual leaves and lieu days as mentioned the aforementioned BMA guidelines.
STUDY LEAVE
I have been informed that I am not allowed any study leave.
Some trusts may not allow non trainee doctors to take study leave - kindly check your job contract again to confirm if this is true in your case or not. Also ask your non trainee colleagues.
Can I ask for study leave if my rota coordinator says that I cannot get it.
Yes, absolutely. Talk to your supervisor and ask if it is possible to get study leave for mandatory courses like ALS and exams like MRCP/MRCS which will allow you to progress in your career. I know that some trusts agreed to allow study leaves to non trainee doctors when a group of doctors explained their situation to their supervisor.
Yes, absolutely. Talk to your supervisor and ask if it is possible to get study leave for mandatory courses like ALS and exams like MRCP/MRCS which will allow you to progress in your career. I know that some trusts agreed to allow study leaves to non trainee doctors when a group of doctors explained their situation to their supervisor.
My trust offers 5 days study leave to non trainees. How do I get the amount reimbursed.
First ensure what sort of study leaves your trust is willing to reimburse.
Usually it is :
- ALS courses
Usually it is :
- ALS courses
- Exam fees
- Attending conferences
Confirm what the year for study leaves starts - some trusts state that it is from August to August and some say it is March to March. This will allow you to plan your leaves properly.
Confirm what the study budget is.
Some trusts give 400 GBP per year and some give 500 GBP.
Fill the study leave forms in advance and ensure that your rota coordinator has put your study leave down on the rota as well.
Get the forms signed by the relevant people (usually it is the rota coordinator, consultant and study leave officer).
Send a receipt of the conference/course you have attended to your study budget officer.
You should get the amount reimbursed in 1 or 2 months in your pay.
Can I get money I spent on fuel, accommodation and food reimbursed too?
Yes, in some trusts you can - check your trusts policy on this.
My trust does not give any study leave for exams.
If this is your trusts policy and you have discussed this with your supervisor and there is no way to change it, then it is best to accept it.
ANNUAL LEAVE
How much leave am I entitled to?
This depends on your current position as mentioned here:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/leave-overview
So as a SHO, I am entitled to 27 days annual leave per year?
Yes, however some trusts allow 30 days days annual leave per year. So check your contract, local guidelines and ask your rota coordinator.
Does this include bank holidays and weekends?
No- Annual leave DOES NOT include bank holidays and weekends.
Can I take leave for a longer duration?
This depends on how well staffed your ward is. If there are 3 doctors on the ward and the minimum number is 2, you can take leave for a longer period of time.
What do you mean by longer periods?
If you take 5 days off in one week, 4 days during the next week and if Friday is a national holiday of some sort are and you are not working on the weekend , you can get a total of 16 days off.
How many annual leaves are we allowed?
It is usually 27 days annually with 9 days per rotation.
Can I take my whole leave in one go?
It may be possible depending on your trusts policies which will be available on the intranet. If you have any queries, ask your rota coordinator.
Why is it important to book leaves in advance?
Your colleagues working in the same ward may want to take leaves on the same day as you want to - if they have arranged leaves beforehand you will not be allowed to get leave if the ward does not have the minimum number of doctors.
How much in advance should I book my leave?
I usually book mine at the start of every rotation. If you do not have any rotations and are the same department for the whole year you can book your leaves a few months in advance.
Is this leave paid?
Yes- we are entitled to 27 days paid leave.
May I get leave as soon as I join?
Yes you can apply for leave as soon as you join however my advice is to take leave a few weeks or months into your job so that you are well settled in the NHS. You can certainly apply for your leave at the beginning of your job. However if you have a planned holiday, etc then you are allowed and no one should stop you. Make sure that you have informed the rota coordinator beforehand.
My consultant/ rota coordinator says that I am not allowed any leaves.
That is not possible. Go through your job contract again and you will see that you are allowed a certain number of leaves annually. You can also look at the official guidance here:
http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/agenda-for-change/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/annual-leave-and-public-holidays-section-13
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/leave/leave-overview
Please make sure that whenever you discuss leaves with your rota coordinator, you send an email to him/her confirming that your leave has been approved. Face to face discussion are not enough.
This is what I usually do:
1. Email my rota coordinator about the dates which he then replies to. If he does not, I call him and request him to respond to the email.
2. Then I make sure that my leaves are mentioned in the rota. If they are not, I call him or personally go to him and ensure that my leaves have been added to the rota.
This is very important! Verbal discussions are not enough. Official correspondence via emails is the best way of ensuring that your leaves are approved so that you plan your trip, etc.
CALLING IN SICK
This is in no way considered a" leave" but I felt that it is important to clarify some points in this post.
This guideline may be helpful:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/gp-practices/employer-advisory-service/handbook/11-sickness-absence
http://www.nhsemployers.org/tchandbook/part-3-terms-and-conditions-of-service/section-14-sickness-absence-for-england-and-wales
What is calling in sick?
If you are ill then you should not come to work as you will not be able to manage patients properly and spread this if you have an infection.
What should I do if I am sick?
You should email your consultant and rota coordinator immediately. Call them at 9 AM as well to let them know.
What happens when someone is off sick?
If there is less than a minimum number of doctors on the ward/shift you are working in, then your rota coordinator will ask your other colleagues to try to cover your shift if their wards are adequately staffed. If that is not possible, then they may ask doctors to do a locum shift.
What is a locum shift?
This is a shift in which doctors are paid to work in the hospital.
This means that when someone is off sick, this is a problem for everyone.
Yes, it is. Which is why unless you are genuinely unwell, you should try to come to work. A mild sore throat or a muscle sprain should not warrant calling in sick.
What do I have to do other than informing my rota coordinator and consultant?
All trusts here may have different policies. Some may ask you get a letter from your GP, some may ask you to give a written explanation once you are well, etc. Please ask your rota coordinator and check the intranet of your trust for local policies on this.
I have to go home for 15 days. Can I use one day as sick leave as I am not allowed to get leave on that day as my ward is short staffed that day?
As you have read above, its a huge problem for everyone when someone calls in sick
The rota coordinator has to arrange cover.
Your colleagues who may have an otherwise easy day on their wards due to adequate staffing now may have to see patients who are completely new to them.
The trust needs to pay a doctor none of your colleagues working in other wards are able to provide cross cover.
So, everyone suffers.
Therefore, no! Do not make up sickness just to get a day off.
Will my consultant know if I have faked a sick leave?
Yes. Absolutely. Even your colleagues will know. You can tell when someone was actually sick and when someone has been faking it - working as a doctor for a couple of years give us this sense. Your colleagues/ consultants may also inform your supervisor about this if this happens on a regular basis.
Remember - never lie in this country. Everyone is very friendly but if you do something wrong, you will be in a lot of trouble.
And people can find out very easily. If you call in sick and then post pictures of sunbathing in Spain on social media, you will not be liked a lot by your colleagues and seniors and will be in serious trouble.
I have serious psychiatric issues/ chronic illness with regular flare ups.
In that case, you need a sick note from your GP/specialty consultant/psychiatrist if you are unable to function. Everyone understands that doctors are human and this can happen to anyone. As long as it is genuine and you have informed the relevant people, you will be fine.
How many doctors take sick leave?
How many doctors take sick leave?
I have not taken a single day off in my career in the NHS - I have worked here for 2 years now.
Some of my colleagues have taken sick leave and they were genuinely ill - therefore it was warranted. I have never seen anyone fake it.
LIEU DAYS
Am I entitled to a day off if I work on a bank holiday?
Yes. This is the list of bank holidays in the UK :
https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays
Am I entitled to a day off if I do a training course/ exam course over the weekend or on my day off?
Yes - discuss this with your supervisor, medical education manager and rota coordinator.
Am I entitled to a day off if I do the mandatory trust induction e learning at home if I do not get time off for it at work?
Yes - discuss this with your supervisor, medical education manager and rota coordinator.
LIEU DAYS
Am I entitled to a day off if I work on a bank holiday?
Yes. This is the list of bank holidays in the UK :
https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays
Am I entitled to a day off if I do a training course/ exam course over the weekend or on my day off?
Yes - discuss this with your supervisor, medical education manager and rota coordinator.
Am I entitled to a day off if I do the mandatory trust induction e learning at home if I do not get time off for it at work?
Yes - discuss this with your supervisor, medical education manager and rota coordinator.
If you are still confused, search for local guidance on leaves in your trust and talk to your rota coordinator if you are confused.
Please note that you must take annual leave and lieu days off(which you are entitled to) and study leave (if your trust allows you to) - There is no point working continuously as a break is always refreshing. There is a reason why these leaves are in place.
If you think that you will show everyone that you are "very hardworking" by not taking leaves, your colleagues and seniors will think you are overdoing it - They want us to have a balanced life otherwise we would burn out.
If you think that you will show everyone that you are "very hardworking" by not taking leaves, your colleagues and seniors will think you are overdoing it - They want us to have a balanced life otherwise we would burn out.
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