How events and regional training days link to study leave

What this article is about
This article explains how event attendance links to study leave and local rota arrangements.

Who this is for
Doctors and dentists in training attending regional training days, and Trust colleagues supporting rota release or study leave.

What you need to know

• Booking onto a regional training day does not automatically approve study leave.
• Study leave is managed through employer and local study leave processes.
• Trainees may need to request study leave before attending an event.
• Sufficient notice should be given so that rota teams can consider the request.
• Event organisers are encouraged to allow enough notice for trainees to request study leave and make rota arrangements.
• Some events may be part of programme teaching, but local study leave processes may still apply.

What to do

1. Check whether study leave is required for the event.
2. Review your employer’s study leave process and deadlines.
3. Submit your study leave request as early as possible.
4. Include the event title, date, time and relevance to training.
5. Wait for approval before assuming you are released from clinical duties.
6. Keep your booking confirmation and any study leave approval.

If this does not work
If study leave is not approved, speak to your employer, rota coordinator, educational supervisor or Training Programme Director as appropriate. HET cannot normally override employer study leave or rota decisions.

Who to contact
For study leave approval, contact your employer or local study leave team. For event booking questions, use the PGMDE Support Portal.

What HET can and cannot help with
HET can help with

• Confirming event details where HET administers the event.
• Providing booking confirmation or attendance information where available.
• Advising whether the event is part of a regional training programme, where this information is held.

HET cannot help with

• Approving study leave.
• Releasing trainees from clinical duties.
• Changing employer rota decisions.
• Guaranteeing that attendance will be possible if local leave has not been agreed.

Related articles

• Regional training days: what they are and who should attend
• How to book onto an event or regional training day
• Attendance requirements and what happens if you cannot attend

Last reviewed
 Last reviewed: 19 June 2026