The Society believes that all members have a right to protected study time and that the benefits of this include enhanced service provision and improved patient outcomes.

The Society's long term aim is that all members should receive protected study time equivalent to 10% of contracted hours worked. This is for the moment unfeasible in the majority of clinical departments and current advice is that managers and union representatives should work to secure six days per annum protected study time for full time employees. Part time staff should receive a similar allocation on a pro-rata basis.

The Society strongly recommends that protected study time should be supported by an appropriate agreement between the Society and the employer.

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