The British Thoracic Society understands the importance of supporting  flexible working practices for doctors working at all levels in respiratory medicine. In 2002 a BTS Working Party was established to assess the impact on respiratory medicine of the changing workforce. Issues to be examined were the impact of the changing gender distribution and the impact of flexible training. The Working Party undertook a number of surveys, reporting regularly on its findings to the Society's Council and Trustees,  and was also involved in discussions with the Royal College of Physicians of London about the need for pro-active responses to the issues raised. Its work has been taken forward as part of the BTS Specialty Workforce Committee, with the remit to progress the requirements for flexible training and working in respiratory medicine.

Flexible training and working in respiratory medicine - working to avoid a workforce crisis
BTS has produced a leaflet to provide information on flexible training and working in respiratory medicine; a summary of the work of the Flexible Training & Working Group; and an outline of the future issues for flexible working and training in respiratory medicine. 
Download a copy here

The BTS Flexible Working Charter is available here.

The Workforce Matters section on the members' part of the website contains helpful information about existing flexible working practices and useful links. We anticipate that this section will be of use to trainees who are working flexibly or are contemplating working flexibly.   If you need more information please contact Jo.Moon@brit-thoracic.org.uk