Inter-Deanery Transfer (IDT)

Movement of Specialist and Specialty Trainees (SpRs/StRs) between Deaneries and Inter-Deanery Transfers of NTNs/Core Training Numbers 

During your SpR/StR training, it may become necessary to consider the possibility of requesting an Inter-Deanery Transfer (IDT).

This may be due to well-founded personal reasons (eg the relocation of a partner), for a temporary period, or on educational grounds (eg to gain further experience or undertake a particular training module). At all times, movement is at the discretion of both the 'home' and 'receiving' Postgraduate Dean.

Rules and guidance

It is possible for SpRs/StRs to be helped to move between Deaneries or within the UK. The arrangements for this apply to both full-time and less than full-time (LTFT) trainees. Movement is at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dean/Director of Postgraduate General Practice Education and trainees will be expected to show that they have well-founded reasons for wishing to move from their current Deanery.

Section 14 of the Orange Guide gives a clear outline of the basic rules relating to trainees in SpR training posts, while Section 6 of the guide provides the same information for trainees in StR training posts. The information on this page is drawn from this guidance but is expanded in the light of operational experience.

Postgraduate Deans/Directors of Postgraduate General Practice Education and trainees need to be aware that an Inter-Deanery Transfer (IDT) bypasses the normal appointment process for the receiving Deanery, and may delay the entry of other trainees, including LATs, aspiring to a StR post in that specialty in the region/Deanery concerned.

Timings

It is important that trainees give as much notice as possible when requesting an IDT, as training vacancies in other Deaneries may not be readily available and therefore arrangements may take some time to set up. A detailed timeline for the process can be found below. This timeline must be adhered to by both trainees requesting transfers and Deaneries managing the process.

The windows to consider IDTs will operate twice a year during March and October. Deaneries will hold two panel meetings in each window – one to consider requests to transfer out and a further panel to consider requests to transfer in. March and October windows will allow trainees to give three-months notice, if required, before transferring to posts commencing in August or February. Of course, posts may commence outside of these dates but start dates will need to be agreed between the transferring/receiving deanery and the trainee.

Dates for 2012 process: Time frame 2012 (PDF, 43KB, 2 pages)

Important Information

Well-founded reasons for an Inter-Deanery Transfer(PDF, 19KB, 2 pages)

Criteria for transfer(PDF, 16KB, 1 page)

Educational reasons for transfer(PDF, 17KB, 1 page)

Information about transfer windows and panels(PDF, 14KB, 1 page)

Appeals process(PDF, 12KB, 1 page)

Formal advice to trainees(PDF, 22KB, 1 page)

Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 27KB, 5 pages)

Request forms

It was agreed that when the 'home' Deanery supported the release of a trainee from the Deanery, an 'Inter-Deanery Transfer Application Form' (ST IDT1) should be completed, confirming that the trainee fulfilled one or more of the four principles/criteria for IDT and was currently progressing satisfactorily in training and not subject to any disciplinary procedures within their existing Deanery area.

However, in exceptional circumstances, a trainee whose educational progression is not deemed satisfactory may be transferred if considered the correct educational decision and if agreed by both Postgraduate Deans/Directors of Postgraduate General Practice Education.

Trainees should confirm their circumstances for IDT by signing a declaration on the 'Inter-Deanery Transfer Form.' This is considered more appropriate than requesting personal information from the trainee, eg formal occupational health assessments. If this information is subsequently found to be untrue, this will be considered a professional probity issue and may be referred to the GMC.

Inter-Deanery Transfer Application ST (IDT 1)(PDF, 67KB, 3 pages)

Other movements and transfers

Trainees wishing to transfer because they would prefer training in another region, not on the specific advice of the home Deanery or Specialty Training Committee, or trainees wishing to move into a different specialty or CCT programme, can only transfer by applying in open competition for a place on a training programme in another Deanery.