Out of Programme
The East Midlands School of Paediatrics has a well developed OOPE Melbourne exchange programme
​Updated: 13 October 2025
There are a variety of reasons why doctors in training may want or need to take time out of programme (OOP). If this is the case then we would advise you speak to your educational supervisor and training programme director early.
Types of OOP
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OOPR (out of programme research): a period of research.
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OOPT (out of programme training): a period of clinical training which is not a part of the doctor in training's current specialty training programme. OOPT will count towards the trainee's CCT date.
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OOPC (out of programme career break): a planned career break related to personal circumstances or other requirements.
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OOPE (out of programme experience): clinical experience which is not approved by the GMC which does not count towards the CCT date but may benefit the doctor.
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OOPP (out of programme pause): a "pause" in training in order to undertake another NHS patient-facing role with a UK registered organisation outside of the training programme.
How to apply
To apply for time out of programme, the doctor in training must download and complete an application form from https://eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/policies/oop. Ensure that you have approval from your educational supervisor who has provided their signature and submit it to Dr Louise Wells for consideration at the internal Paediatric OOP panel. Applications must be submitted no later than by the first day in February or August that corresponds to being 6 months in advance of starting the OOP e.g. for an OOP starting at the August 2025 changeover date an application must have been submitted by 1st February 2025. This can be applied for on a provisional basis which allows the School to plan ahead whilst giving you conditional support pending confirmation of your OOP plans.
OOP panel
The OOP panel is where the school makes decisions around OOP applications so as to ensure consistency. It is chaired by Dr Louise Wells and the panel will come to a decision on whether to support the OOP, not support, or give a "conditional" support. Conditional support is granted where, at the time of OOP application, it is not clear if a trainee has been successful for their prospective job or whether funding is in place - in this situation conditional support can be granted subject to future information. Support from the School's OOP panel will then allow the trainee to obtain a TPD signature and apply to NHSE for their approval.
OOP opportunities
This is a combined clinical and education post primarily based within Children's Emergency Department of Royal Derby Hospital. The split is roughly 2:1 clinical:education. The education part is flexible - it is a simulation post, so some simulation is expected, but there are opportunities to pursue other teaching/management/research roles as part of your non-clinical time. There is an extensive bank of sims to use, and a good culture of engaging with sim, especially in CED. You can also engage with the ward, and NICU. As the trust has merged with Burton, there is also an expectation to try to engage with their ED/paeds department when able (roughly every one to two months). Your clinical work is made up of supernumary 9-5 CED shifts, twilight 1-10pm CED shifts, some weekend CED/ward cover shifts, and nights which are mostly CED/ward cover but a few on NICU. ​
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a world renowned children's hospital and experience training in Australia, through the East Midlands - Melbourne exchange programme for one year, usually commencing in August. This post however is not available every year.​
The successful applicant will spend one year in Australia rotating between 4 different posts, which can variable and give a wide breadth of experience. The year of rotational posts will usually consist of the following: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Dates | Duration | Post | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-Oct | 3 months | Leave relief | Various but often RCH | Cross cover for annual leave is built into Australian training rotations, this allows you to cover various sub-specialties and get a general overview of the Australian training and health system |
Nov-Jan | 3 months | DGH | Various | |
Feb-Apr | 3 months | Sub-speciality | Usually RCH | These posts will be discussed and allocated as availability allows, but with an aim to be specialities of interest to the trainee |
May-Jul | 3 months | Sub-speciality | Usually RCH | These posts will be discussed and allocated as availability allows, but with an aim to be specialities of interest to the trainee |
​​The post is undertaken as OOPE (for experience), experience and learning can still be added to the portfolio, but this is not mandatory. Under Progress+ and to ensure trainees have the right level of experience to gain the most from the Melbourne posts we recommend this post to trainees moving from core to specialty paediatrics training (i.e. between ST4 and ST5 years).​
The requirements for this post are:
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Full MRCPCH
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Satisfactory outcome at last ARCP
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Application for OOPE
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Clear PDP of what you plan to achieve whilst you away
​Interviews will be held to determine the successful candidate. When applying you will be asked to summarise in maximum 200 words about why you would like to be considered for this opportunity. The RCH provides assistance with arranging Australian work visas for successful applicants.