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Flexible Career Scheme

The Flexible Careers Scheme (FCS) was developed in conjunction with the BMA as part of the Improving Working Lives initiative. It provides doctors with an opportunity to work flexibly within mainstream general practice while being supported in maintaining their careers.

It is useful for a wide range of doctors, including:

• doctors who want to work less than 50% of full time
• doctors who want to take time out or cannot work full time, but wish to keep in touch with the profession
• doctors retired or semi-retired from the NHS, or those nearing retirement, who wish to continue working but at a different pace
• doctors currently not working who wish to return to practice and need a period of supervised work.
  

In each case the scheme can be adapted to different circumstances and will provide sufficient medical/clinical practice for revalidation purposes. The FCS is time limited at the outset, with the possibility of a later extension and is centrally administered by NHS Professionals. Doctors on the scheme can work up to 50% of full time and hours can be calculated on an annualised basis to enable more work to be carried out at one time and less at others.

Other features of the scheme include:

• access to the NHS pension scheme
• does not require GPs to undertake any out-of-hours work, but doesn’t discourage them from doing so
• doctors receive a fixed annual amount to cover professional expenses, including GMC registration, professional indemnity, subscription to a professional journal and membership of a Royal College
• pays the employer an amount based on a proportion of the cost of employing the FCS GP.
  

The Flexible Careers Scheme is managed centrally by NHS Professionals. To apply, to join or for more information contact them on 0845 60 60 345.