University of Bristol and Severn Foundation School

Why Severn?

The University of Bristol offers world-class research opportunities, linked to training in a number of excellent clinical teams. The range of programmes and the quality of opportunities makes the Severn AFPs stand out.

Click here for research reports from previous or ongoing AFP projects (UNDER CONSTRUCTION).

The Programmes

The Severn Foundation School and the University of Bristol offers 12 academic foundation programmes (AFPs). There are a variety of job opportunities to encompass a range of academic subjects. The AFPs in
Severn offer a great opportunity for future academic clinicians to start their career and develop a good
grounding in clinical research.

Currently the academic component of the job is in the second year (F2 year) which consists of:

A 4 month academic post
- Based at the University of Bristol with a day release for service work
2 x 4 month service posts
- North Bristol/UH Bristol
- Each with a day release for academic work

The posts are currently research orientated and details of the programmes can be found here Programme Descriptions. Education posts are also possible. We hope that the training offered will allow many of our AFP trainees to obtain Academic Fellowship posts and similar.

During the F2 year AFP doctors will spend a four month block pursuing a research project (with 1 day clinical service commitments) and have 1 day research time in the remaining 8 months of their clinical training.

The Curriculum

Complete F2 competencies in 2 service blocks
- Day release in service blocks for academic work
- Day release back into service in academic block
Generic research methods course
- Half day/week in block 1
Complete a piece of academic work - 4 months
- Literature review
- Practical project in lab
- Data collection - survey, interviews, etc
- Write a paper
- Presentation at academic meeting
Prepare an ACF application

Generic research methods course

A selection of the following will be available

European Computer Driving License
An Introduction to Epidemiology, Health Services Research and Basic Statistics
Critical Appraisal
Good Practice in Clinical Research
Good Practice in Laboratory Research
Database management
Writing a research proposal
Careers in Academic Medicine

AFP Subjects and Leads

Paediatrics - ID/Microbiology (Professor Adam Finn)
Primary Health Care (Professor Debbie Sharp)
Psychiatry (Professor Glyn Lewis & Dr John Potokar)
Medical Physiology (Dr Tony Pickering)
Clinical Epidemiology/Public Health (Professor Yoav Ben-Shlomo)
Surgery (Professor Jane Blazeby)
Endocrinology - Adult (Dr Colin Dayan)
Paediatrics - Endocrine/Renal (Dr Julian Hamilton-Shield)
Paediatrics - Child and Adolescent Health (Professor Alan Emond)
Renal Medicine - Adult (Professor Peter Mathieson)

Supervision/mentorship

Clinical supervisor/educational supervisor (trust based)
Academic supervisor (University of Bristol)
Member of group of 12 F2 trainees

Severn Academic Foundation Programmes