Employers have some discretion regarding the level of reimbursement that can be made so check your eligibility with your new employer prior to making the move.

The underlining principle of all relocation and travelling expenses policies should be that no resident doctor should be financially disadvantaged as a result of working on a rotation.

In some areas these expenses are administered by deaneries, in other areas by employers. Before incurring any costs, check the relevant expenses policy.

Costs you can claim for

• The search for accommodation in the new area.
• The purchase and sale of property (including legal fees and stamp duty).
• Removal of furniture and effects.
• Continuing commitments in the old area.
• General or miscellaneous removal costs.
• Additional housing costs in the new area.
• Additional or excess travelling costs, so that resident doctors do not have additional travel costs associated with moving to a new post.

For questions about any aspect of your working life, our advisers are here to help you.

Scotland

​Following negotiations between the BMA Scotland resident doctors committee and NHS Scotland employers, there is a Scotland-wide agreement on relocation and excess travel expenses for resident doctors.

Claiming expenses is part of your contractual rights; we encourage all resident doctors to make sure you know what you’re eligible for.

The full details are available below.

Relocation and travel expenses in Scotland

Wales

The BMA Welsh resident doctor committee continues to work with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to ensure resident doctors are not out of pocket when having to travel extra distances or completely relocating as a result of rotating to new workplaces for training.

The full details of the trainee relocation reimbursement policy are available on the HEIW website under the heading Relocation / Reimbursement:

Relocation reimbursement policy in Wales

Working on rotation?

If you are on rotation you can also claim excess mileage as a result of working at a hospital on rotation.

Paragraph 315 of the terms and conditions of service sets out that if you are required to move house during a rotational training programme you may receive removals expenses. If you choose not to move house but travel a greater distance between your home and hospital, you may be eligible to claim excess mileage.

Reimbursement is at the public transport rate unless the criteria outlined above apply, in which case the standard or regular user rate will apply. Check your deanery or employers expenses policy for more information.