During F1

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’.

In their educational contracts with trusts, postgraduate deans normally recommend up to three hours of formal training a week for F1 doctors, at least one hour of which is for meeting the specific educational needs of the F1 doctor.

Foundation doctors in F1 must have ‘protected’ time specifically allocated to support their learning outcomes as laid down by the GMC and the foundation training curriculum, either:

  •  through a weekly and timetabled learning programme; or
  •  by totalling at least one hour a week of pre-registration training to provide at least seven days a year for generic (standard) professional development in line with the generic professional learning programme described above

During F2

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.

Study leave is for providing education and training not easily achieved in the clinical setting.  National guidance states that it should NOT be used to support preparation for, or attendance at specialty examinations.  Annual leave can be used for these activities.

Trainees should plan their study leave as far in advance as possible.  It is an integral part of their education and training.  Educational supervisors and FPDs will work with trainees to determine how their study leave can be used most effectively.

Study Leave can be used to learn about different clinical specialties.  For example, trainees can undertake experiential placements or embedded ‘taster’ programmes.  This gives the opportunity to explore different career opportunities, as well as to develop an understanding of how the specialty contributes to patient care.

F2 Tasters are primarily for trainees wishing to experience a specialty not in their Foundation Programme, and should normally be within the Severn Deanery area.

The Study Leave process and budget have been centralised in the Severn Deanery.  All applications and expense claims for F2 Study Leave are processed through the Foundation School.

An expense claim form will be provided on approval of Study Leave application.

The Study Leave budget for F2 trainees in Severn is £293 per trainee per year (Please note - the budget from August 2010 will be £270 per trainee per year).  Costs over and above this figure must be self-funded.

List of Approved Courses

  •  F2 Regional Teaching Modules
  •  F2 Tasters
  • Photo by Mike Tucker, RUH Bath Advanced Life Support (ALS or equivalent is a mandatory requirement for completion of the Foundation Programme)
  •  Advanced Paediatric Life Support
  •  Advanced Trauma Life Support
  •  Basic Life Support
  •  Basic Surgical Skills
  •  Child Protection
  •  Communication and Consultation Skills
  •  Critical Appraisal of Quantitative Research
  •  European Paediatric Life Support
  •  Generic Instructors’ Course
  •  Ill Medical Patients' Acute Care & Treatment (IMPACT)
  •  Paediatric Life Support
  •  Sexually Transmitted Infections Foundation Course
  •  Stata Course

Any other course deemed appropriate by the trainee’s Trust Foundation Programme Director. 

 
 
 
Last updated at 15:03, 15 June 2010