Taking a sabbatical as a doctor

I was wondering whether anyone has any experience taking a sabbatical during training? Ideally, I want to do an F3 year (have a lot of things I need to do with the time off) but because I'll be applying for the ACF programme, I wanted to maximise my chances at getting a spot (which means applying as an F2).

Therefore, I've thought about taking a year out after the 1st year of ACF (given that I can't defer my start).

Is this a silly idea? I don't want to break the continuity of the training, especially early on, but I really want both things (acf + the year out).

TBH I’m not sure why you have to apply for ACF as an F2? There are loads of interesting options out there for a more laid back f3. - teaching clinical fellows etc in UK and abroad - which allow you a break and also looking good on a cv? The thing you need to look at is the OOPP probably if once you’ve started ACF. Be aware that there isnt a ‘right’ to it, so it can be turned down. Not sure how often that happens in practice though - not very i would have thought!
Is there someone you can talk through the options with? Each deanery has an academic associate dean, so it seems to me they might be the right person.

The official term for a sabbatical in doctor-land for trainees is OOP - out of programme. Comes in lots of different kinds:

OOPE - experience. Generally time in an environment you can’t count as training, eg LMI country, or a teaching fellowship. This doesn’t count towards your CCT date.
OOPT - training. Another medical post that the Deanery are willing to count towards your training.
OOPR - research. PhD / MD etc.
OOPC - career break. To do something non medical. Can be for general life circumstances (I had a friend who used it to get through a divorce, another to go through fertility treatment, someone else who just wanted to collect thoughts and think through options). You’re generally limited to what if any locum work you’re allowed to do during this.
OOPP - pause. This is new, came about from Covid. Allows you to work in a UK non training post that’s not your training programme, to get some extra experience in something, and essentially get off the portfolio carousel for a few months.

You generally need to have a clear plan and apply for OOP reasonably well in advance.

None of the OOP are guaranteed when you apply. If you don’t get it first time then you can reapply the following year. I believe the Deanery then have to have an exceptionally good reason for not allowing it.

I don’t know enough about AFP and F3, except to say that taking an F3 is so common these days that I’d be surprised if you’d be penalised that much in an ACP application. But I don’t know.

Some ACFs are ST3 entry - I assume you've factored that in.

Thanks a lot, this information is new to me and really helpful. From what you've seen is the OOPC the hardest to attain?

As I understand you can apply for ACF even after you start ct training? Are there only ST1 or ST3 options?

So if i complete CT1 during which I am accepted for the ACF, can I move to ST2 as an ACF with a NTN (the following year)?