Return to Practice: is it time to think about returning to the profession you love?

The Return to Practice campaign encourages people who have left these professions since they qualified, for career breaks or to focus on family, to contact Health Education England, who run a programme that can provide help and information if they want to return to practice.

Allied Health Professionals and healthcare scientists are highly valued members of the NHS workforce. AHP Workforce Programme Lead Carole Preston says: “There’s a wide range of reasons why people may have stopped practising and let their HCPC registration lapse, but we would love to welcome them back to the NHS. They already have the skills and experience to make a big difference to patients, clients, carers and their families and we want to support them on their return to practice journey.”

When you're considering returning to your profession, sometimes other people's success stories can help you to decide whether this could be the right choice for you. We’ve gathered stories from professionals who have returned to practice and are now back at work for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT) or at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC). All of them are making a difference to patients, clients, carers and their families in Gloucestershire.

The returners highlighted in this campaign have returned after gaps ranging from 4 to 18 years. AHP Workforce Programme Lead Carole Preston returned to practice as a Diagnostic Radiographer after an 18-year gap. Her advice for anyone thinking about returning to the profession? “Do it! You have so much to offer and the NHS really needs you. There’s lots of resources and people to support you and you can always start in an assistant role if you’re not sure and need to take more time.”

The campaign highlights these stories and provides people with details about returning to practice, including:

• If you have been off the register for two or more years, or if you did not register within five years of after qualification, you will need to undertake a period of updating your skills and knowledge. This can be undertaken within the healthcare educational and social care sector.
• If you are registered with the HCPC and have been out of your profession for 0-2 years there is no need to do any additional study or work experience. You can apply for relevant jobs straight away. However, if you would like to talk through your options, or require some support, please see the Health Care Professions Council website.

The Gloucestershire campaign will initially run over three months and we hope that sharing it widely will encourage more people to contact Heath Education England and start their Return to Practice journey.