OUT OF PROGRAMME

Out of Programme (OOP) – Summary for London Respiratory Trainees

Types of OOP:

OOPC (Career Break): Time out for personal reasons (e.g. family, travel)

OOPR (Research): For work contributing to a higher degree (e.g. MD/PhD)

OOPT (Training): Clinical post approved for training (e.g. fellowships with GMC recognition)

OOPE (Experience): Clinical experience not counting toward training

OOPP (Pause): New pilot option to temporarily pause training for service or non-training work

Acting Up (AUC): as a Consultant allows senior specialty trainees to temporarily take on a consultant post under supervision.

1. Plan Early:

Begin discussions at least 6 months before the desired start date.

2. Speak with your Educational Supervisor (ES) and Training Programme Director (TPD)

> NB Resp is dual-accredited hence need both GIM and Resp (email accordingly).

3. Complete the OOP Application Form via the London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex (LaKSS) OOP portal (see below)

HEE OOP Ticket

Obtain:

Letter of support from your TPD (note both GIM and Respiratory TPD needed with signatories)
Evidence of approval from host institution.
GMC approval (for OOPT/OOPR counting towards training).

Submit application to the School of Medicine and HEE London by the advertised deadlines (typically 6+ months in advance).

GMC info

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Await approval from the Postgraduate Dean.

Key Deadlines:

Apply at least 6 months in advance (GMC recommends 3 months minimum for approval processing).
For time to count toward training (OOPT/OOPR), GMC approval must be secured before starting.

Important links

Important Notes:

You must return to the same training programme post-OOP unless agreed otherwise.
Not all posts abroad or in fellowships are automatically eligible for OOPT — GMC prospectus submission may be required.
Trainees can usually take up to 3 years OOP (some exceptions apply).
OOP does not count towards CCT unless formally approved as OOPT/OOPR.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Useful Links:

HEE London OOP Trainee Guidance (PDF)

Full guidance for trainees applying for time Out of Programme (OOP) in London, including steps, timelines, and forms.

Download OOP Trainee Guidance – April 2023 (PDF)

HEE Support Portal - Report an Issue or Submit OOP Request

Use this form to contact the London and KSS HEE team for OOP queries, issues, or document submissions.

Submit a Support Ticket via HEE Portal

HEE Support Ticket -

Submit a Support Request (HEE London & KSS)

Important: This support ticket must be submitted alongside the OOP application as your “Support Pre-Absence Form”. Without it, your application may be delayed or incomplete.

GMC Guidance - Out of Programme (OOP)

Official guidance from the GMC on taking time out of specialty training, including OOPT, OOPR, OOPE, and OOPC.

Read GMC OOP Guidance

OOP & Acting Up Application Form - HEE London

Download the latest form required for applying for Out of Programme (OOP) or acting up as a consultant. Includes essential signatory sections for TPD and Postgraduate Dean approval.

Access the OOP & Acting Up Application Form

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IMPORTANT