Study leave

Trainee doctors can apply for funded study leave. Policies have been designed to ensure access to study leave is fair, equal and consistent for all trainee doctors in Wales.

Claiming study leave

In order to claim study leave expenses, you need to submit claims via the E-Expenses account. As trainees are employed by the Single Lead Employer in Wales, further guidance on this process and support with this is available via the NWSSP website.

Study leave approval

For foundation and secondary care (or specialty) trainees, study leave is approved by the medical education department at your local health board. You can find a list of contacts at education centres.

For GP trainees in practice posts, study leave is approved by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).

Study leave policies

Please select the study leave policy below that applies to your current stage of training.

Appeals

If a Resident Doctor wishes to appeal a decision on their study leave, they should formally request a review of the decision by writing to the GP Training Management Team heiw.gptraining@wales.nhs.uk.  If the matter cannot be resolved, then the Resident Doctor should submit an appeal using the digital appeals form (shown below) clearly stating the reason for the appeal and any supporting evidence.

An independent appeals panel which is held once a month will review all appeals submitted and will endeavour to do so within 20 working days of notification of appeal. The decision of the panel and reason for making that decision will be confirmed in writing to the Resident Doctor within five working days of the Appeals Panel decision. The decision of the panel is final.

Appeals form - Appeals Application – Fill out form