On 1 November 2020 Health Education England (HEE) published the new national framework for providing assistance with relocation expenses. Initially this framework only applied to trainees who commenced a training programme from 5 August 2020 with those in programmes which started prior to this date remaining on the previous local policy.
With effect from 1 April 2021 all trainees are subject to the new framework (including Dental Core and Specialty Trainees). The new framework has improved provisions including: an increased maximum sum that can be reimbursed (£10,000 instead of £8,000), removal of homeowner requirement for excess mileage claims and a reduction in the distance before excess mileage can be claimed (now only 17 miles each way).
All claims under the framework must be made direct to your employing Trust unless otherwise specified. Claims must be submitted within 3 months of the costs being incurred.
Trainee employed by Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT or Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust will claim via UHB (University Hospitals Birmingham). The initial application form must be completed ahead of claiming but please note that you will not receive a response until you have submitted your first claim.
From December 2022 onwards claims from trainees employed by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS FT must be emailed to HRServicesTeam@mkuh.nhs.uk NOT to Relocationexpenses.HEE@uhb.nhs.uk
How to claim?
- Check the framework to see if/what you may be entitled to claim for, clarification should be sought from your employing Trust in the first instance.
- Request approval to claim in advance via email or by sending in the initial application form where this is provided. Claims submitted without prior approval will not be processed.
- Once you have sought and received approval ensure you claim within the specified timeframes (within 3 months of incurring the costs) and provide the required evidence.
- Submit the claim forms to the relevant email address / online expenses system.
Declaring previous claims
You are required to declare any payments you have already received under any former relocation or expenses policy or the new Framework.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not claim over and above your entitlement or claim for any expenses for which you have already received re-imbursement via another route. Knowingly providing false information may result in disciplinary action and potentially prosecution.
To assist with this if you are not sure of previous claim details please check with your previous employing Trust/s or, for those trainees whose were employed in Trusts within the TV region prior to April 2021, this information can be requested by emailing england.relocationexpenses.tv@nhs.net
HEE Thames Valley will be supporting the Trusts during the transition and will work with them to verify previous claim information.
Appeals
If you feel that you have been unfairly treated in relation to a claim then you may appeal to your Postgraduate Dean.
To submit an appeal please email england.relocationexpenses.tv@nhs.net setting out reasons for your appeal and include any relevant evidence.