BGS position statement on flexible working in geriatric medicine

As an organisation, we wholeheartedly support the ambitions of the National Health Service (NHS) People Plan 2020 to embed flexible working into standard NHS practice in England.1 The NHS in Scotland has published a flexible working policy,2 as have several Health Boards in Wales, such as Hywel Dda University Health Board3 and Powys Teaching Health Board.4 According to our database of members, nearly 100 BGS members (2%) told us when they joined that they work less than full-time (LTFT). It is however important to recognise that LTFT working and flexible working are not synonymous. While LTFT working is included as one approach to flexible working, working arrangements can be flexible in other ways. This document aims to set out how LTFT and flexible working practices can be improved for the benefit of our members and the people they care for. Although this document is aimed at medical members, some themes may be relevant to colleagues from other disciplines. We support flexible working practices across the workforce delivering healthcare for older people.

In this statement we first outline the benefits for individuals and organisations of flexible working before setting out the principles of this statement. The principles are then explored in further detail and are followed by a series of hints and tips for those wishing to work flexibly and those in roles supporting flexible workers.