Can foundation training be undertaken on a part time basis?
All doctors in training are eligible to apply for Flexible Training. They must be able to show that full time training would not be practical for them, with well founded reasons. Trainees should apply for the Foundation Programme in the normal way. More information on Flexible Training.
Will trainees be permitted to apply to undertake F2 overseas?
Currently we allow F2 to be undertaken overseas (subject to approval). Please consult our current guidance.
Can trainees take a year out between F1 and F2?
Yes, we allow Time Out of Foundation Programme (subject to approval). Reasons for taking TOFP include domestic reasons, health reasons, personal reasons, work or travel overseas. Please consult our current guidance. If a trainee wishes to take TOFP, they should discuss this with their Educational Supervisor and Foundation Programme Director in the first instance.
If TOFP is agreed, a trainee has the right to return to the Severn Foundation School to complete their Foundation Programme the following August. We will guarantee an F2 post, but will not be able to guarantee the original allocation of Trust or programme. In order to take this up, the trainee must inform the Foundation School of their intention to return at least six months in advance. If they fail to do this, they will not be allocated an F2 post and will have to apply for stand alone vacancies in open competition.
Can trainees move between deaneries/foundation schools?
Yes, providing they meet the national criteria. Please see the national Foundation Programme website for the Inter Foundation School Transfer guidance and application form. If a trainee wishes to apply for a foundation school transfer, they should discuss this with their Educational Supervisor and Foundation Programme Director in the first instance. An application will be successful only if the trainee has satisfied both deaneries that they meet the national criteria; and there are places available in the receiving foundation school.
If a trainee wishes to move deaneries, but is not eligible for a foundation school transfer, their only option is to apply in open competition for F2 vacancies. Trainees considering this option should be aware of the following statements regarding F2 allocation in the 
Operational Framework 2009 entry, paras 85 and 86:
85 Foundation doctors should be strongly encouraged to stay in their appointed foundation school for the whole of their two-year programme. However, some foundation doctors may want to withdraw from a foundation training programme so that they can join another foundation school for F2. If they do not meet the requirements for an interdeanery transfer (IDT), they will have to apply (see paragraph 55) for an advertised F2 post. Before applying, foundation doctors should discuss this with their educational supervisor and get appropriate career advice.
86 Foundation doctors need to know about the GMC’s rules on accepting posts and then refusing them, without allowing the foundation school enough time to make suitable arrangements to meet patient and service needs (Good Medical Practice, paragraph 49). A doctor who has been allocated F2 training in their original foundation school will be expected to take it up and must not then withdraw from it unless they have the foundation school director’s agreement. The doctor will be expected to meet the terms and conditions of their contract if they want to resign.