Protected Learning Time (PLT) is an opportunity for general practice teams (GPs, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, admin/reception staff and allied health professionals) to address their learning and professional development needs, improve team working and the quality of care provided to patients.

The Protected Learning Time (PLT) scheme is now being commissioned as a Locally Commissioned Service (LCS), available to all NCL practices for up to a two-year period from April 2026 to March 2028. The Protected Learning Time LCS service specification is now available.

In 2026-27, each practice will be entitled to up to four practice-level sessions annually.

The ICB has set an initial cap at the start of the LCS, with the potential to offer additional sessions during the year where funding (dependant on uptake) allows.

Practices can also participate in up to two PCN-level sessions, taken within the first six months of the financial year. PCN-level PLT sessions must focus on strategic ICB priority areas, chosen from the core recommended topics list and cannot be used to fund activities already covered by PCN DES or other PCN funding. Practices are to give the details of their topics for these sessions on their application forms.  At least one practice level PLT session must also support a strategic priority area, chosen from the core recommended topics list.

How to participate

Before taking any protected learning time, practices should complete the annual Application Form and return it to nclicb.nclprimarycare@nhs.net for prior approval.  

  Following approval, a practice will be issued with a Contract Variation. Practice payments are made on receipt of the returned feedback forms following each PLT session.  

PLT Payments are as follows:

• a one-off admin fee for taking part in PLT between 1April 2026- 31 March 2027 of £100, per practice 
• an engagement payment of £300 per PLT session, per main practice site 
• an engagement payment of £100 per PLT session, per branch practice site 

Contact nclicb.nclprimarycare@nhs.net with any queries about the PLT scheme.

PLT Suggested list of topics 

Core recommended topics (practices are asked to have one PLT session from this list)

Suggested topics (practices can choose from this list for up to five topics)

PLT summary of overall outcomes

A total of 1,042 staff members from 81 practice teams participated in a Protected Learning Time (PLT) session during the first part of the PLT scheme, which ran from January to March 2025.

Positive feedback has been received, demonstrating that staff valued the opportunity to learn and develop together. Where relevant, staff have begun to implement changes to their ways of working or have agreed practical changes to be adopted in specific areas of working.

Practices also reported that having time for open discussions helped to build better working relationships.

Staff from both clinical and non-clinical roles took part in sessions to learn and develop together on a range of topics, including ADHD Awareness, Capacity & Access – Modern General Practice, Difficult Conversations, and Safeguarding. 

The list of topics, which includes specific practice recommendations that have been shared, is available to download on this page. 

During the PLT sessions, these practices remained open and implemented cover arrangements. Some used in-house staff (with a locum to ensure duty cover and one receptionist available by phone), or buddying up with other practices.