Guidance and sample weekly timetables to support NHS Trusts submitting Specialist grade job plans to the RCOG for approval
Example weekly timetables
Below are two indicative examples of Specialist grade timetables. NHS Trusts can use these as a reference when developing Specialist grade job plans.
Timetable 1
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00–13:00 ANC (1 PA) | Admin (0.8 PA) |
| Tuesday | 9:00–13:00 EPAU (1 PA) | Fertility clinic (13:30–17:30, 1 PA) |
| Wednesday | On-call (08:30–13:00, 1.125 PA) | SPA (alternate weeks, 0.5 PA) |
| Thursday | Day off | |
| Friday | Alternate AMs: • 08:00–13:00 Day case list (0.625 PA) • 09:00–13:00 EPAU (0.5 PA) |
SPA (1 PA incl. 2 hrs departmental teaching) |
| Flexible | 10 weekends/year daytime resident second on call (Sat & Sun, 8:30–21:00 = 2 PA/week) 0.25 SPA – educational supervisor 0.25 SPA – EPAU lead |
|
Total PAs:
DCC: 8.05 (incl. 0.8 PA admin)
SPA: 2.0 (incl. 0.25 ES + 0.25 EPAU lead)
Total: 10.05 PAs
Timetable 2
| Day | Time | Activity | DCC | SPA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 08:00–13:00 | Red flag clinic (incl. admin) | 1.25 | 1.25 | |
| 13:00–17:00 | Core SPA | 1.0 | 1.0 | ||
| Tuesday | 08:30–13:30 | DPU theatre (incl. admin) | 1.25 | 1.25 | |
| 14:00–17:00 | UG teaching lead (O&G) | 0.75 | 0.75 | ||
| Wednesday | 08:30–10:30 | Regional MDM | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| 10:30–12:30 | Ward round | 0.5 | 0.5 | ||
| 13:00–17:00 | Colposcopy outpatient clinic | 1.0 | 1.0 | ||
| Thursday | 09:00–17:00 | EOSC theatre | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| Friday | 08:30–12:30 | Ward round & grand round | 0.75 | 0.75 | |
| 13:00–14:00 | Colposcopy admin | 0.25 | 0.25 | ||
| 14:00–18:00 | Core SPA | 0.5 | 0.5 | ||
| Flexible | Variable | Appraiser role | 0.25 | 0.25 |
Total PAs:
DCC: 8.00
SPA: 2.00
Total: 10.00 PAs
Submitting specialist posts for RCOG approval
NHS Trusts are encouraged to submit Specialist job plans for RCOG approval to ensure alignment with best practice and national workforce planning guidance.
All Specialist job plans submitted to the College must include the following three elements:
- Information about the employing Trust
- A person specification
- An average weekly timetable
The RCOG recommends the following resources when developing a Specialist grade person specification:
- NHS Confederation: Specialist Grade Template person specification
- BMA & NHS Employers: Specialist Grade Appointment Guidance
- Eligibility and clinical competencies
For full details on how to submit, visit the RCOG Job Planning Approval Process page.