Requesting a deferral during training (health, caring, other reasons)

What this article is about
This article explains how to request a deferral or temporary delay during training because of health, caring or other significant circumstances.

Who this is for
Doctors and dentists in training who may need to delay, pause or change planned training activity after starting their programme.

What you need to know

• A deferral during training is different from deferring your start date before joining the programme.
• Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate process may be statutory leave, sickness absence, LTFT, OOP, special circumstances, SuppoRTT or another training process.
• Requests should be raised as early as possible.
• You may need evidence to support the request.
• Any effect on placements, ARCP, CCT date or training time must be considered through the relevant training process.
• Employer processes still apply where the issue affects attendance, contract, pay, rota or HR matters.
• Deferral or delay is not guaranteed and may depend on training requirements, available posts, programme capacity and approval routes.

What to do

1. Speak to your Training Programme Director or educational supervisor as early as possible.
2. Contact your employer if the issue affects attendance, sickness absence, pay, contract or rota.
3. Raise a query through the PGMDE Support Portal explaining what change you are requesting and why.
4. Include your full name, professional registration number, specialty, current placement, relevant dates and any urgent deadlines.
5. Provide evidence where requested.
6. Ask which process applies if you are unsure.
7. Wait for confirmation before assuming training dates or placement arrangements have changed.

If this does not work
If your request cannot be supported through one route, HET or the programme team may advise whether another process is more appropriate.

Who to contact
Use the PGMDE Support Portal for HET training record or programme queries. Contact your Training Programme Director for training suitability discussions. Contact your employer for employment, sickness absence, pay, contract and rota matters.

What HET can and cannot help with

HET can help with

• Advising which training process may apply.
• Updating HET-held records where an approved change is confirmed.
• Liaising with programme teams where training arrangements may need review.
• Directing you to LTFT, OOP, special circumstances or SuppoRTT routes where relevant.
  

HET cannot help with

• Approving employer leave, sickness absence or HR arrangements.
• Guaranteeing a preferred placement or delayed start to a placement.
• Providing occupational health, legal, immigration or financial advice.
• Changing training dates without the relevant approval process.
  

Related articles

• Deferring your training start date
• Reporting a change of circumstances
• Flexible training options alongside LTFT, OOP and SuppoRTT
  

Last reviewed
 Last reviewed: 19 June 2026