The Career Refresh for Medicine programme (CaReForMe) was developed to help support doctors who have had a break in practice, including those new to the NHS, return more easily and safely. It was a facilitative programme, meaning eligible doctors were still responsible for finding an appropriate post.
Health Education England provided information, resources and educational support to make this process easier for both doctors and their employers. The programme’s educational support elements included access to e-learning, relevant courses and up to three days supernumerary time.
Unfortunately, there are currently no further cohorts planned, although this may change in the future. This webpage will be updated accordingly if spaces become available for future cohorts.
CaReforMe was separate from the Medical Support Worker (MSW) programme. To be eligible for CaReforMe, applicants had to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and have been out of practice for at least three months, or new to the NHS. You do not need to be GMC registered to apply for the MSW programme. We are unable to pass applications on, but you can apply for the MSW programme here.
Further information and resources are available from e-Learning for Healthcare and Health Careers, and also at the links below in the Resource Hub.
Doctors in a training programme who have taken time out can access our Supported Return to Training Programme. You may also want to take a look at the GMC Welcome to UK Practice webpage.
Resource Hub
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Organisations
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
British Medical Association (BMA)
Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland
NHS England and NHS Improvement
Guidance
AOMRC Return to Practice guidance
BMA Returning to clinical practice after absence
GMC Break in Practice Guidance:
- Supporting those returning from a break in clinical work
HEE:
- Letter to trust Directors of Medical Education
- Briefing and guidance for trust Directors of Medical Education
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Initiatives
NHS England and NHS Improvement - Returning clinicians
Courses
The South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has an active research programme into return to work, alongside their training courses.
They have recently launched a new study that seeks to build on the evidence and practice that they have collated so far relating to doctors. In short, they are inviting doctors to complete a 10-minute survey to share their experiences and help to improve the support provided to returners. Participation is totally anonymous and enters you into a £50 prize draw.
The study seeks to highlight the most important needs for returning doctors and gather views on how these needs could be identified and addressed through a new assessment tool.
Further information on the study is available here and please do not hesitate to contact Chris Attoe, chris.attoe@slam.nhs.uk, with any questions!
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BMJ Learning (includes Covid-19 hub)
Critical Care Covid-19:
- Internet Book of Critical Care
The Royal Society of Medicine resources for CaReForMe programme
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