The scheme is open to doctors who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Where a doctor is seriously considering leaving or has left general practice (but is still on the National Medical Performers List) due to:
  • Personal reasons – such as caring responsibilities for family members (children or adults) or personal health reasons
    or
  • Approaching retirement
    or
  • Require greater flexibility in order to undertake other work either within or outside of general practice.
• And when a regular part-time role does not meet the doctor’s need for flexibility, for example the requirement for short clinics or annualised hours.
• And where there is a need for additional educational supervision. For example a newly qualified doctor needing to work 1-4 sessions a week due to caring responsibilities or those working only 1-2 sessions where pro-rata study leave allowance is inadequate to maintain continuing professional development and professional networks.

Doctors must hold full registration and a license to practice with the GMC and be on the National Medical Performers List.

Doctors applying for the scheme must be in good standing with the General Medical Council (GMC) without GMC conditions or undertakings – except those relating solely to health matters. The scheme is not intended for the purpose of supporting a doctor’s remediation and where the relevant NHS England Responsible Officer has concerns, the doctor would not usually be eligible for the scheme.

Doctors interested in applying to the scheme should contact their Health Education England (HEE) Scheme Lead who will be able to advise on their eligibility for the scheme.