General

What is the Foundation Programme?

The Foundation Programme is a two-year generic training programme which forms the bridge between medical school and specialist/general practice training. Trainees will have the opportunity to gain experience in a series of placements in a variety of specialties and healthcare settings.

F1 – The first year of the Foundation Programme builds upon the knowledge, skills and competences acquired in undergraduate training. The learning objectives for this year are set by the General Medical Council. In order to attain full registration with the GMC, doctors must achieve specific competences by the end of this year (see the GMC website for more details).

F2 – The second year of the Foundation Programme builds on the first year of training. The F2 year main focus is on training in the assessment and management of the acutely ill patient. Training also encompasses the generic professional skills applicable to all areas of medicine – team work, time management, communication and IT skills.

What is a Foundation School?

Foundation schools are the organisational unit responsible for foundation programme training. A foundation school is usually associated with a deanery – in our case, the Severn Foundation School has the same geographical ‘footprint’ as the Severn Deanery.

For more about Foundation Schools and the roles of those in them, see Who's Who in the Foundation Programme

The Severn Foundation School Structure

Where can trainees get careers advice?

Careers advice will be available through the foundation programme directors, educational supervisors and clinical supervisors, as well as the deanery careers advisor. Specialty tutors will be available to answer questions about individual specialties.

Careers development information for Foundation Doctors.

What is the Study Leave entitlement during the Foundation Programme?

F1 doctors are not eligible for study leave. However, The New Doctor says that ‘training must provide regular, formal educational sessions that cover topics of value and interest to foundation doctors, who must be facilitated to attend. In formal educational sessions, foundation doctors must not be on duty and should give their pagers to someone else so that they can take part’.

F2 trainees are eligible for 30 days study leave per year. A number of days (which varies between Trusts) is deducted from this for in-house educational programmes. Study Leave is also used for the F2 Regional Teaching Programme. Less than full-time trainees are eligible for study leave calculated pro rata.

More information about Study Leave.