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Inter-Deanery Transfer (IDT) FAQs

Questions

  • Can I apply for an IDT?

    All cases will be considered on an individual basis. However, the following non-exhaustive principles have been agreed as circumstances which normally represent a reasonable reason for a trainee to request an IDT:

    • Significant life event
    • Caring responsibilities
    • Committed relationship – particularly marriage/civil partnership
    • Other relationships including the importance of support networks

    Deaneries when considering IDT requests will also take the following into account if one or more of the above criteria met

    • Length of rotation
    • Impact on the well being of the individual
    • Forced change of location of a partner for employment

  • How do I apply for an IDT?

    It is advisable to discuss your wish for an IDT with your educational supervisor in the first instance. Once you have done this, you will need to contact your current Deanery for an inter-deanery transfer form. In order to request an IDT you will need to fill in all the details of your situation and verify that this information is the truth. Please ensure that all information is correct, as this may be a professional probity issue if it is later discovered to be false in any way.

  • When can I apply for an IDT?

    You can apply for an IDT as soon as your situation arises. However, in most instances a transfer will not normally be considered prior to the trainee having spent 6 months in post and will not normally take place until the trainee has been in post for 1 year. Transfers within the first year after appointment will only be agreed by the Postgraduate Dean in exceptional circumstances and on a specific case-by-case basis.

  • When will my transfer be considered?

    Once you have handed in your IDT form it will be considered by your releasing/current Deanery. It has been agreed that “transferring out” Deaneries will set up a panel to consider IDT requests received to transfer out. If it is agreed that you can be released from your current Deanery the IDT form will be forwarded to the stated receiving Deanery. It has been agreed that all receiving Deaneries will set up a panel to assess IDT requests to “transfer in”. These panels will meet at least twice a year during what will be called the “transfer window” when the majority of transfers will be considered. Dates for the transfer window will be advertised widely and should be available on all Deanery websites.

  • What if my Deanery refuses to release me?

    If you are refused transfer by your current Deanery, you will be able to appeal by writing to your current postgraduate Dean within ten working days of the decision and asking them to reconsider your case. If you are a BMA member, the BMA will be able to support you in your appeal. It is important to establish the reason for refusal; you will need to ensure that you fulfil the criteria for transfer prior to appealing.

  • What is the transfer window?

    There will be two transfer windows per year. During this time all Deaneries will form panels to assess outgoing and incoming transfer requests. These panels will comprise of:

    • Deanery representatives
    • A JDC or other trainee representative
    • A lay person

    Urgent requests for transfer can be considered between the transfer window periods, but these would be highly exceptional cases only. This does not include consideration of requests which may miss a transfer window closing date. Any requests received after the published deadline would go forward to the next transfer window.

  • How will I find out the outcome of the panel?

    At the end of the transfer window all applicants will be informed in writing of the outcome of their transfer request. If a transfer has not been granted, the reason for this will be communicated in writing to the trainee (see detailed timetable for response times).

  • What can I do if my transfer is refused by the receiving Deanery?

    Your transfer may be declined for several reasons, it is important to establish why you have been refused in this instance. If you wish to appeal the transfer window decision, the appeal will be conducted by the Postgraduate Dean. You will need to contact the Deanery stating your reasons for appeal within ten working days of date of notification of outcome.

    It is important to establish the reason for refusal; you may not have been refused a transfer per se, but may have to wait for a vacancy to arise in the deanery you have requested to transfer to. Such vacancies can take a long time to appear especially in smaller specialties. Transfers cannot normally be accommodated without such a vacancy arising.

  • I have been told that my application for inter Deanery transfer was acceptable, but I have not been offered a new post. Why is this?

    There may be many reasons, it is important to gain clarification on why you have not been offered a transfer in by the receiving Deanery. Deaneries may have more transfer requests than posts available. If this is the case, the receiving Deanery panel will assess each case and, depending on circumstance, some trainees may be offered a transfer immediately, while others may have to go on a waiting list until a vacant post/programme becomes available.

  • Can I attend the appeal?

    Normally this will not be necessary. You will be asked to provide further written evidence to support your case; you need only provide this if you have added information which may be new (since your original application) and/or a clarification of previously submitted materials. However, a Postgraduate Dean may decide that a personal attendance is appropriate. If you are asked to attend an appeal in person, you may wish to be accompanied / supported by a friend or BMA representative (providing you are a member of the BMA). Please note that if you are supported by a BMA representative, this must not be someone who has been involved in the original IDT panel decision.

  • What are my options if I cannot wait for a transfer, or if my application fails?

    You always have the option of applying in open competition to any vacancies that arise in your preferred Deanery. When applying for posts you must be aware of your current notice period.

  • I have an elderly parent that has significant care requirements, can I transfer?

    The care of a parent is normally considered a suitable reason for transfer. However, you will need to confirm that you are the primary carer for your parent and that the circumstances have materially changed since you accepted the appointment in your current Deanery.

  • I have recently got married / entered into a civil partnership and my partner works in another Deanery/area/country, am I eligible for transfer?

    Yes. As a transfer may take some time it is worth speaking to your educational supervisor in advance of any arrangement being formalised in order to discuss potential arrangements and a suitable point in your training to transfer. If you are both doctors, you may wish to consider who is the most appropriate candidate for transfer ; for example there may be more training opportunities in some specialties available in one Deanery than the other, or it may be easier for one partner to move at this point in their training.

  • I have discovered that a close family member is terminally ill and would like to transfer to be near them, can I transfer?

    Yes. This may be considered as an exceptional circumstance and so you should speak to your educational supervisor and Postgraduate Dean immediately. Please note consideration in this instance would normally apply to first degree relatives, i.e. parents or children. In such exceptional circumstances the transfer window may be avoided and a transfer arranged as soon as possible. However, transfer remains dependent on the receiving Deanery having a suitable post/programme vacancy. Please note there are other options you can also consider such as taking time out of programme (OOP) for a short period.

  • I (my partner) have(has) recently had a baby and now my childcare arrangements mean that I cannot work as far away from home as I previously could, can I request a transfer?

    Yes. The most appropriate transfer in this case may be an intra-deanery transfer. This is where you move to a different location within the same Deanery. You should contact your educational supervisor and Postgraduate Dean to discuss this further, if this is the case. If you have been working in a Deanery that is not near to your home, you may request an inter-deanery transfer. You may be able to do this prior to the birth, so speak to your educational supervisor and Postgraduate Dean as soon as possible.

  • I have recently been diagnosed with a serious health condition and wish to move Deanery to be nearer family/treatment, can I transfer?

    Yes. You will need to discuss the transfer with your educational supervisor and illustrate how the move will improve your situation.

  • My partner has been on a rotation in the West Midlands (for example) for a year, but recently I applied for training through national recruitment and have been forced to accept a post in the Peninsula Deanery or face unemployment, can either of us apply for a transfer?

    It is unlikely that you will be able to transfer to the West Midlands Deanery if you were unsuccessful in open competition, however, your partner may be able to request a transfer to the Peninsula Deanery. You both may wish to discuss your options with your educational supervisor and your Postgraduate Dean.

  • I wanted a post in London (for example), but was unsuccessful in open recruitment. I am now in the Northern Deanery, can I transfer to London?

    The IDT scheme cannot be used to apply for a specific post in another region or Deanery. If you wish to transfer due to personal choice rather than because you fulfil one of the criteria listed above, you should continue to apply through open competition, whilst being mindful of the notice period in your current Deanery.

  • I wish to carry out research in another Deanery as part of my training; can I apply for Inter Deanery Transfer?

    There are already systems in place for those wishing to undertake out of programme experience/research. These are detailed in the Gold Guide. Please discuss the existing mechanisms for this with your educational supervisor.

  • I have found a doctor in the Deanery to which I want to transfer who is willing to swap with me, can I transfer?

    It is important that the scheme is managed by Postgraduate Deans who have an overview of all the cases of trainees needing to transfer, and can prioritise all those cases according to need.

  • I have failed my RITA/ARCP, can I transfer?

    In the majority of circumstances you will need to have passed your most recent assessment of competence progression (outcome 1) or equivalent (RITA C) in order for your transfer to be agreed. However, in exceptional circumstances your Postgraduate Dean may approve a transfer if they feel your training would be improved by your move to another Deanery. This would also have to be acceptable to the receiving Deanery.

  • I am a GP Trainee. Should I apply through this system?

    Yes. The National Recruitment Office will no longer handle transfers for GP trainees and all trainees will be expected to follow the same procedure via their Deanery.

  • I am a trainee in Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland; does this system apply to me?

    This scheme was piloted in England, Scotland and Wales during 2009. Following the success of the pilot, Northern Ireland have now also agreed to adopt this approach.