NB - THIS PROCESS WILL BE UPDATED FOR PROGRAMMES ENDING JULY 2010
Currently, there are three aspects to the F1 sign-off process:
1. Ensuring that the requirements for GMC Full Registration have been met
Universities still retain statutory responsibility for signing-off the PRHO/F1 Year. UK graduates should liaise with the Medical School from which they graduated (or their ‘home’ deanery) and comply with arrangements for obtaining Full Registration. Non UK graduates should contact the GMC.
2. Attainment of F1 competence
Trusts should review the attainment of F1 competence for each trainee by mid June. The Educational Supervisor (ES) should meet with their trainee and review their portfolio. The ES can then recommend to the Trust Foundation Programme Director (FPD) that the trainee be signed-off. If the ES has any concerns, he should discuss with the Foundation Programme Director whether a recommendation for sign-off can be made. At the same time, the ES or FPD should notify the trainee, in writing, of any concerns. If the ES and FPD agree the trainee cannot be recommended for sign-off, the FPD should contact the Foundation School Director to discuss the trainee concerned, and provide evidence as to why the trainee cannot be signed-off.
NB: Whilst the meeting to determine sign-off can take place from mid June, in order to meet the requirements of some medical schools/deaneries, trainees should NOT be signed-off before 1 July.
Although trainees are signed-off in early July, this sign-off is provisional and subject to continued satisfactory performance and attendance until the end of their F1 programme.
The outcomes of Foundation Programme assessment are as follows
Foundation doctors in F1
Foundation doctors will need to demonstrate the areas of competence identified by the GMC in The New Doctor to be recommended to the GMC for full registration. The foundation doctor must be given a certificate of satisfactory service at the end of each placement, describing the outcomes they have achieved. A certificate of experience for provisionally registered doctors will need to be signed off at the end of the F1 year by the university (or those delegated by the university) from which doctor graduated.
Operational Framework para 188, page 51
Operational Framework 2009 entry
The New Doctor
From August 2007, provisionally registered doctors will be required to demonstrate that they meet the outcomes set by the Education Committee and have completed a programme of 12 months before full registration is granted.
General Medical Council website
Assessment based on evidence of performance
- At the end of each placement, the educational supervisor, in conjunction with the postgraduate deanery, must assess whether the foundation doctor has met the necessary outcomes. The educational supervisor must only confirm satisfactory service if the foundation doctor has met the necessary outcomes.
- When an educational supervisor assesses the performance of a foundation doctor, the following sources of documented evidence should be used: a. Evidence of direct observation of the foundation doctor’s performance.
- Reports from colleagues about the foundation doctor’s performance.
- Discussions with the foundation doctor about their performance.
- The foundation doctor’s personal portfolio.
- Also, there may be other sources of evidence that will provide a valuable insight into the competence. These sources should be recorded and may include:
- Feedback from patients who have been in contact with the foundation doctor.
- The outcome of audits.
Standards for Training for the Foundation Programme, PMETB/GMC
Number of Assessments to to completed
It is a requirement in the Severn Foundation School that a minimum of 6 DOPS, 6 Mini-CEX, 6 CBD and 2 Mini-PAT assessments have been completed during F1. Assessments must be completed by mid June.
3. Transfer of Information
All Severn Foundation School trainees are required to complete a Transfer of Information questionnaire before the beginning of both their F1 and F2 years. The TOI process is designed to allow trainees to highlight to their Trust Foundation Programme Director (FPD) issues that might be relevant to their training. The TOI process is a supportive process, aimed at allowing foundation doctors to highlight to their local educator issues that may be of relevance to their performance as a doctor, and is also one of the processes used to safeguard patient safety.
Transfer of Information webpage.
Process
The ‘End of placement final review form’ should be completed at the end of each 3 or 4 month placement within the F1 year. These forms will need to be used as evidence when the Attainment of F1 competency form is completed at the end of the F1 year.
The ‘Attainment of F1 competence form’ (available from the e-portfolio) should be completed within the Trust and sent to the Foundation School to inform F1 sign-off and Full Registration. Copies should be retained by the trainee and the Trust.
The ‘Transfer of Information form’ form should be completed with the help and support of the trainee’s Educational or Clinical Supervisor(s). The trainee’s current Educational Supervisor should countersign the ToI form.
The ‘Certificate of Experience’, is a mandatory form required by the GMC. This is downloaded from the GMC website by the trainee and is completed by the trainee’s medical school or ‘home’ deanery. It is then forwarded to the GMC. Severn is responsible for completing Certificates of Experience for Bristol graduates and non UK qualified F1 trainees. Graduates from other UK medical schools should consult their ‘home’ deanery or medical school for advice.
Click here to download form detailing evidence required for F1 sign off 
F1 Sign Off Checklist
A Trainee Timeline, detailing all requirements for Sign-Off, can be downloaded here 
Trainee Timeline