Doctors’ Rights to Annual Leave: What You Need to Know in 2025

‍Annual Leave Entitlements for Doctors in the UK

Annual leave is an essential right for doctors, ensuring that medical professionals get the rest they need to maintain their well-being and continue providing high-quality patient care. However, entitlements can vary based on contract type, length of service, and employment status. This article breaks down the latest updates to annual leave rights for doctors in the UK, including new amendments for Specialty Doctors and Specialist Grade doctors in Northern Ireland (2025).

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Junior Doctors (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)

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2016 Contract:

- First Appointment to NHS : 27 days of annual leave.‍

- After Five Years of NHS Service: 32 days of annual leave.

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2002 Contract (Legacy Terms):

- Foundation Year 1 (FY1) : 5 weeks (25 days).‍

- Foundation Year 2 and Above: 6 weeks (30 days).

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Specialty and Specialist Doctors (2025 Update – Northern Ireland)

A new amendment to Schedule 15 of the 2021 Terms and Conditions of Service for Specialty Doctors and Specialist Doctors in Northern Ireland clarifies their annual leave entitlements:

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Specialty Doctors:‍

- Upon First Appointment: 5 weeks (25 days) per year.‍

- After Two Years of Service: 6 weeks (30 days) per year.‍

- After Seven Years of Service: 6 weeks + 1 additional day (31 days).

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Specialist Grade Doctors:‍

- Upon First Appointment: 5 weeks (25 days) per year.‍

- After Two Years of Service: 6 weeks (30 days) per year.‍

- After Seven Years of Service: 6 weeks + 1 additional day (31 days).

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Consultants‍

- Consultants in the UK generally receive 6 weeks (30 days) of annual leave per year.

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Public Holidays and Additional Leave

• Full-time doctors in the UK receive eight public holidays per year.
• In Northern Ireland, doctors receive 10 public holidays and 2 statutory holidays (which may be converted to annual leave by local agreement).
• Doctors who work overnight on a public holiday (between midnight and 9 AM) are entitled to a day off in lieu.

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Part-Time and Less-Than-Full-Time (LTFT) Doctors

• Annual leave for LTFT doctors is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
• Example: A doctor working 60% of a full-time rota receives 60% of the annual leave entitlement and 60% of public holidays.

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Requesting and Carrying Over Leave

• Doctors should formally request annual leave through their employer’s system, usually requiring at least six weeks’ notice.
• Doctors may carry over up to 5 days of annual leave into the next year (subject to employer agreement).
• If a doctor is unable to take leave due to work obligations, unused leave should be carried forward.
• If a doctor falls sick during annual leave and provides medical evidence, their leave will be converted to sick leave from the date of the statement.

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‍Key Takeaways

✅ Annual leave entitlements depend on role, contract, and length of service.
✅ Northern Ireland doctors have new entitlements under the 2025 amendment.
✅ Part-time doctors get proportional leave allocations.
✅ Unused leave may be carried forward if a doctor is prevented from taking it.
✅ Doctors working on public holidays may receive time off in lieu.

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For the full details of annual leave entitlements, always check your contract and refer to the latest BMA guidance or Department of Health policies. If you want to learn how RotaPal can help your team manage Leave with complete accountability please email hello@rotapal.com or book a demo.

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