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)
Obtain:
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Letter of support from your TPD (note both GIM and Respiratory TPD needed with signatories)
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Evidence of approval from host institution.
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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).
Important Notes:
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You must return to the same training programme post-OOP unless agreed otherwise.
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Not all posts abroad or in fellowships are automatically eligible for OOPT — GMC prospectus submission may be required.
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Trainees can usually take up to 3 years OOP (some exceptions apply).
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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.
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.