Nationally available training placements (NATPs) are GMC-approved placements which are intended to provide experience at a national level and develop specialist leadership knowledge and skills.
NATPs can count towards training however the necessity for time out of programme and the provision of salary and expenses remain at the discretion of local training programme directors / heads of school. Given the format, many NATPs require some degree of in-person working, though this is subject to individual NATP arrangements.
FAQs
Am I eligible to undertake an NATP?
NATPs are open to registrars based in any region. Specific eligibility criteria (e.g. whether particular learning outcomes, or specific prior experience is necessary) are included in the application forms.
Who needs to give permission?
You should obtain permission from your Training Programme Director and/or Head of School.
When can I do NATP?
Each NATP will have different requirements regarding the stage of training expected of applicants. Specific details for each placement are in the application forms.
How will I be paid?
Arrangements are at the discretion of your training programme director/head of school and the NATP hosts.
Will there be expenses / relocation allowance?
Some placements are able to reimburse registrars for travel and/or relocation expenses. Specific details are included in application forms. However, if there is no specific information, please contact the placement organiser directly.
Will this count towards training or do I need to go out of programme?
As NATPs are GMC-approved they count towards training however it is at the discretion of the training programme director / head of school as to whether time out of programme is required.
Are these GMC-approved?
Yes – all NATPs have been through GMC approval.
Which placements are not NATPs?
All placements listed below are NATPs. The full list of GMC approved placements in all regions, including both NATPs and non-NATP placements, can be found here."
Are there opportunities for NATP not listed here?
NATPs are periodically added to the repository so do check back for new additions. There is also the possibility to undertake a nationally available project (see below).
Can I organise my own placement?
Public health registrars may organise their own Out of Programme (OOP) placements though these must be approved by the GMC as well as the training programme in order to count towards training.
Further information can be found on the FPH website (https://www.fph.org.uk/training-careers/specialty-training/training-placements/out-of-programme/) and within the Gold Guide (https://www.copmed.org.uk/images/docs/gold-guide-9th-edition/Gold-Guide-9th-Edition-August-2022.pdf).
What is the difference between a nationally available project and placement?
In addition to nationally available placements, there is a range of nationally available projects for registrars to gain experience and complete work that can contribute to FPH curriculum learning outcomes. These projects are normally generated by the FPH itself or by a Special Interest Group (SIG) and are intended to form a part of the registrar’s broader portfolio of work. Whilst the registrar's local Educational Supervisor stays the same, an agreed Activity/Project Supervisor provides direct supervision for the project work itself. It is expected that any ‘remote’ working done by the registrar, along with travel costs, is funded by the local deanery unless specific funding is made available.
Further information about projects can be found here: https://www.fph.org.uk/training-careers/specialty-training/training-placements/fph-projects-scheme/
Table of placements
|
Name of placement |
Application and start dates |
Duration |
Location |
Remote working |
|
NICE |
Applications on ongoing basis |
9-12 months |
Manchester and London |
Work flexibly with trainees from areas outside Manchester and London |
|
Health Foundation |
TBC**
|
9-12 months |
London |
1 day per week on average in office |
|
DHSC Support to CMO |
2 roles available. Applications open 22nd March and close 12th April |
<12 months |
London |
Expected in office 2-3 days / week. |
|
OHID - Four opportunities |
Application closing date 31st May 2024 |
6-12 months |
London/Remote |
London/Remote |
|
OHID/ASH |
Applications on ongoing basis
|
Not specified |
Remote |
Option to travel to Leeds or London for meetings |
|
NIHR |
Applications on ongoing basis |
6-12 months |
Southampton |
Fully remote can be accommodated |
|
UKHSA TB Unit |
Applications on ongoing basis
|
6 months |
London |
Remote / hybrid available. Some travel to London expected. |
|
UKHSA Global Public Health |
Applications due 2nd February. Starting in March 2024. |
6-12 months |
London. International travel possibly required. |
Some time in London offices expected. |
|
UKHSA Health Equity and Inclusion Division |
Application rounds April-May & October-November annually
|
6-12 months |
London |
Remote / hybrid available. Some travel to London expected. |
|
UKHSA Centre for Climate and Health Security |
Application rounds May & November annually |
6-12 months |
London |
Remote / hybrid available. Some travel to London expected. |
|
UKHSA Clinical and Public Health Response |
Applications on ongoing basis |
6-12 months |
London - National |
Hybrid working |
|
UKHSA Public Health Programmes |
Applications on ongoing basis |
6-12 months |
London - national |
Remote/hybrid. |
|
UKHSA HCAI Fungal AMR AMU Sepsis Division |
Applications on ongoing basis |
6-12 months |
London |
Remote / hybrid available. Some travel to London expected. |
|
UKHSA TARZET |
Applications on ongoing basis |
6-12 months |
London |
Remote / hybrid available. Some travel to London expected. |
|
NHS England |
Applications on ongoing basis
|
6-12 months |
London |
Remote/hybrid. Attending monthly face-to-face desirable. |
|
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |
Applications closed 22/6/23 |
12 months |
London |
Hybrid. Expectation of 2-3 days a week to be in the office. |
|
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit |
Applications on ongoing basis
|
6 – 12 months |
Oxford |
Remote working possible but some time spent physically at the unit encouraged (on agreed basis) |
|
FCDO |
Applications by the 5th May. Interviews 27th May/3rd June |
12 months |
London |
Hybrid. 3 days in the London office per week. |
* These dates are approximate and registrars should consult application forms to clarify specific dates.
** Details of the next round of applications are To Be Confirmed. Please continue to check this webpage for updates or contact placement organisers directly.
Case Studies
To find out more about what it’s like to do an NATP, listen to Episode 20 of the Training in Public Health Podcast in which Andrew Dalton shares his experiences from his time at the CMO office:
Training in Public Health: E20 - CMO placement experiences with Andrew Dalton on Apple Podcasts
https://open.spotify.com/episode/506d0RLB9DFczWBHyHwpIT?si=c120c07fbb0c4e6a
Creation of a NATP
CRITERIA:
The Faculty of Public Health will add placements to the list which will meet the following criteria:
- The Placement must offer unique training opportunities which are not available locally
- It is a GMC approved placement
- The host organisation approves
- Application is supported by the local heads of school / training programme director
- The placement is Advertised to all registrars nationally with a fair selection process
