Message from the Associate Dean

Hello

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. The sun is starting to shine though and it feels like Spring is finally on its way.

Preference Informed Allocation (PIA) went live on 7^th March and 1080 individuals have been recruited to standard Foundation Programme in London, starting August 2024. This is more than we were initially expecting so we are working closely with trusts on some new exciting programmes. Very grateful to everyone who has been involved with this.

We held the programme fair at the Kia Oval last week and it was great to see so many faces – new recruits, colleagues from across London and the medical schools. Thank you to everyone that made this day a success.

We’re also starting to think about end of year ARCPs (Annual Review of Competence Progression) and have launched a new document to help guide all those involved with Foundation ARCPs. For London, we will be holding a webinar on 26^th April for all those involved with Foundation ARCP panels across London. In addition, the UKFPO are holding a webinar for Foundation doctors on 27^th March (see below for details).

I’m delighted to announce that we have recruited two new International Medical Graduate (IMG) reps, Nina and Sanduni. Starting a medical career in the UK as an IMG is very exciting, but sometimes associated with additional challenges. Dr Celia Bielawski, deputy FSD leading on IMGs, is working with Nina and Sanduni to establish a peer-to-peer support and provide further opportunities to communicate with the Foundation School.

Finally, congratulations to the Whittington Foundation team, Dr Julie Andrews FTPD and a group of Foundation doctors successfully completed a Winter 10k run to raise funds for Whittington Health Charity. Great to see such happy faces.

Please do share any Foundation team experiences with us. Good to share some fun times too.

BW

Ali

New Updates

Change in Exceptional Circumstances 

If you are due to start FY1 in August 2024, or are a current trainee due to start FY2 in August 2024, and you have experienced an exceptional change in circumstances since you applied to the foundation training programme which affects your ability to complete training in your current location, please let us know via completion of the following form: 

For London foundation doctors please complete this form: 

https://forms.office.com/e/y6LpeVCBgp       

Please also ensure that you submit your additional supporting information via our applicant support portal here: https://lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk/support/tickets/new?form_7=true 

We are only able to consider an exceptional change in circumstances that can be evidenced and will not consider any requests for programme swaps between doctors who have had no change to their personal circumstances.  

The criteria are those in the guidance for IFSTs 2024 on the UKFPO website: 

1. Parental responsibilities. 
2. Primary carer responsibilities. 
3. Medical condition or disability for which ongoing follow-up for the condition in the specified location is an absolute requirement. 
4. Unique circumstances (these must be unique, not other circumstances which do not meet the requirements for the other criteria). 

The forms are open from Wednesday 5th April 2024 at 12pm and will close at 5pm on Monday 15th April 2024 with all submissions being reviewed by the foundation school directors shortly after.  

There are very limited numbers of alternative programmes available so it is highly unlikely we will be able to place successful applicants in their preferred alternative location, but we will do all we can to take your circumstances into account. 

Reminders & Guidance

REMINDER: Industrial Action and TOOT

We understand there’s anxiety about the industrial action dates. We’ve had quite a few enquiries about these. We would like to signpost to the BMA, their website and resources, who are able to provide lots of information regarding these dates. Whatever decision an individual takes, we should all be respectful of this. Please note that all Industrial Action (IA) days should be recorded on your Form R for ARCP as Time Out of Training (TOOT), so please do keep a record of these days along with any other absences.

REMINDER: F2 GMC Responsible Officer

There are still a number of F2 doctors who have not connected to their Responsible Officer. F2 doctors are responsible for ensuring they are connected to the correct Responsible Officer, this is your Post Graduate Dean.

For more information or guidance please see: https://lonkssfoundation.hee.nhs.uk/gmc or please contact us via PGMDE Support Portal click here to be directed to the PGMDE Support Portal.

REMINDER: 2023-24 TAB (Team Assessment of Behaviour) window dates

The remaining recommended dates for TAB are detailed below but these dates are not mandatory. More information on the TAB process can be found on the Horus Website.

Placement 2

Opens: Friday 9^th February 2024

Closes: Monday 1^st April 2024

 

Placement 3

Opens: Friday 19^th April 2024

Closes: Monday 20^th May 2024

REMINDER: SCRIPT – supporting safer prescribing practices

The SCRIPT programme is a collection of innovative eLearning portfolios designed to encourage safe and effective prescribing and medicines management among healthcare professionals.

SCRIPT will enhance your knowledge and confidence in prescribing correctly, improving patient safety, therapeutics and medicines management. You will receive a certificate for each module that you complete, which can be used in your online learning portfolio. SCRIPT is easy to use. You can access the modules at a time which suits you and revisit them even after completion. SCRIPT modules are particularly useful in preparation for the PSA Exam.

You can learn more about the SCRIPT eLearning programme and how to sign up by visiting Medicine & Surgery | Safe Prescriber

For the London Foundation Doctors, SCRIPT is not mandatory but highly advisable. The London Foundation School recommend 6 modules are completed per year as a minimum.

REMINDER: How to request discretionary study leave 

Please see below the steps of how F2 Doctors can apply for Discretionary Study Leave.

1. Foundation Doctor (FD) seeks support from Educational Supervisor and trust (local) Foundation Training Programme Director (FTPD).
2. Local FTPD seeks approval from the area deputy Foundation School Director (FSD)
3. Deputy FSD replies to trust TPD, including study leave team.
4. Local TPD can then reply to FD with outcome. 
5. If approved, FD completes study leave form on the study leave portal. 

We are not able to reply to direct emails about Study Leave, but if you have any questions please do contact the school via the PGMDE Support Portal click here to be directed to the PGMDE Support Portal.

An email with guidance for FTPDs has also been sent.

REMINDER: PSA Sittings 2023/24

Please note the dates for all PSA sittings (all held at 1pm):

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Tuesday 23 April 2024

REMINDER: Provisionally registered doctors (F1) must not undertake formal locum posts or activities.

Provisionally registered (PR) doctors can undertake occasional ad hoc additional/overtime shifts on their current FY placement or previous F1 placements that have formed part of their F1 rotation, where such work is undertaken only within the limits of their current competence and with the support of their educational supervisor. When undertaking such occasional ad hoc additional/overtime work PR doctors should be clear with other members of their team about their current experience and level of competence.

REMINDER: TiS Checks

Please can we remind Trust Medical Education colleagues to work with their Medical Staffing teams to regularly check Foundation Doctors’ posts on TiS, against internal records. Early recognition of any discrepancies can help us all to resolve issues quickly.

REMINDER: Contacting the London Foundation School

Please be reminded that contact with the Foundation School Team should be through the PGMDE Support Portal, rather than to individuals email addresses or shared mailboxes. This will ensure that your query can be directed to the correct person and dealt with as quickly as possible. Please click here to be directed to the PGMDE Support Portal.

Please do not use F1.LASE@Hee.nhs.uk, F2.lase@hee.nhs.uk, FPEnquiries.lase@hee.nhs.uk or personal HEE email addresses.

GUIDANCE: Foundation Doctors taking Parental Leave

Please can all foundation doctors who will be taking a period of Parental Leave, please inform BOTH the Foundation school and the employing trust. Please use the following FAQ as guidance:

HEE Parental Leave FAQ's

Please also see the NHS employers Maternity guidance using the link below:

NHS Employers Maternity Guidance (rotational doctors and dentists)

GUIDANCE: Less Than Full Time (LTFT) Training for London

Please click the link below for guidance regarding Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training. Please note that pro rata training must be undertaken in Foundation. In the Foundation school, posts will remain 4 months, and the timeline extended accordingly.

E.g. a F1 doctor working LTFT 60% will undertake F1 over 20 months, this would be 5 x 4 month blocks.  

LTFT Guidance         

GUIDANCE: Foundation doctors in GP and psychiatry placements contributing to acute services

Please see below link for guidance regarding Foundation doctors in community placements contributing to acute services Foundation doctors in GP and psychiatry placements contributing to acute services

GUIDANCE: Foundation Doctor Role and Responsibilities

Please use the following link to the updated ‘Foundation Doctor Role and Responsibilities within the Local Education Provider and Minimum Requirements for Clinical Supervision of Foundation Doctors’ document.

Foundation Doctor Role and Responsibilities

GUIDANCE: NHS employers’ guidance on induction for international medical graduates

Please find below link to guidance from NHS employers

https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Welcoming-and-Valuing-International-Medical-Graduates-A-guide-to-induction-for-IMGs-WEB.pdf

UKFPO Bulletin

To read the latest UKFPO Bulletin access the link below:

UKFPO Bulletin        

Courses, Events, Research and Competitions

UKFPO E&S Preparing for ARCP webinar: Wednesday 27 March 2024 - 14:00

The UKFPO welcome all Foundation doctors to our fifth webinar of the training year. The webinar will provide Foundation doctors with an overview of the annual process designed to review progress and assess readiness for the next step in training.

ARCP - Annual Review of Competency Progression

• Do you know about your upcoming ARCP?
• Will your eportfolio be ready by May?

Our trainers and Foundation fellows will provide helpful advice on preparing your portfolio for ARCP.

When: Wednesday 27 March 2024, 14:00 – 15:00

Where: Virtual via Microsoft Teams. You do not need to pre-register, simply click here to join the webinar at 14:00 – 15:00. The webinar will be recorded and uploaded to our website soon after the event.

Target Audience: Foundation doctors

Webinar panel: Dr Anthony Choules, UKFPO Education and Support Advisor; Dr Fiona Cameron, UKFP Assessment Lead and FSD Scotland; Dr Aysha Nijamudeen, UKFPO Fellow and F2 doctor

Email foundation.educationandsupport@nhs.net with any queries.

Best wishes

UKFPO Team  

W. www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

Access the point of care tool BMJ Best Practice for free

BMJ Best Practice takes you quickly and accurately to the latest evidence-based information, whenever and wherever you need it.

Our step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention is updated daily using robust evidence-based methodologies. 

This tool is freely available to all healthcare professionals who work for the NHS in England. You can register for free here https://www.bmj.com/company/hee/

If your institution would like to receive further information on BMJ Best Practice, please contact Dr. Kieran Walsh, Clinical Director at BMJ. Dr. Walsh can deliver talks for Foundation Programme doctors at their training sessions or provide information on areas such as the local HEE/BMJ clinical champion scheme. Contact Dr. Kieran Walsh at kmwalsh@bmj.com.  

New video resource for foundation doctors

A new video for all foundation, foundation schools and trusts, helping them to understand more about the Foundation Programme Charter, has been shared.

Please click here to launch the Foundation Programme Charter video.

Further videos including Foundation Programme Review and Self Development time can also be found here

NHS Induction Programme for International Medical Graduates - e-learning for health

The National Induction programme has been designed to ensure that all international medical graduates (IMGs) recruited to the NHS are welcomed, valued, and supported as they transition to UK clinical practice.

Please use the following link to access the programme:  https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/nhs-induction-programme-for-international-medical-graduates/

Foundation Careers & Coaching Events Team

Career Support For Foundation Doctors

Career planning and navigating through various opportunities can be challenging for Foundation Doctors. The Professional Support Unit (PSU) careers team provide support whether you need guidance in choosing your speciality, exploring clinical and non-clinical career options, preparing for applications or interviews or are considering an F3. 

You can discuss your career planning concerns with an expert during impartial and confidential 1-2-1 appointments with careers consultants. These can focus on thinking about your opportunities, decisions, or preparing for interviews. If you are interested in career coaching consultations, please follow Careers Application Form.

Self-Awareness | London (hee.nhs.uk)

Career Exploration | London (hee.nhs.uk)

School Foundation Reps

Dear all,

We sincerely hope that you are settling into you second rotations well. Following national and local meetings with the UKFPO, Foundation School and your local hospital representatives we would like to highlight some key information to you.

The UKFPO has asked us to pass on the following:

• We have created a survey for all foundation doctors and we’d hugely appreciate your time in completing it. The information we receive will be invaluable in helping to identify issues both at a Trust level and London-wide which we can then raise with the Foundation School : https://forms.gle/vDZEMee8s4hiSJXq7
• They have created new UKFPO-run webinars to share important information and cover essential training topics https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/resources/ukfpo-webinars/.
• E-learning for healthcare is an excellent resource providing additional modules for professional development and reflects HLOs https://www.e-lfh.org.uk.
• The UKFPO is starting a new programme called “Enhance” which aims to improve generalist skills: https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/enhancinggeneralistskills?nodeId=4992.
• The UKFPO is conducting work to analyse how variations in Foundation Year training results in differential attainment in specialty training applications and postgraduate exams. This work could be used to improve the provision of training opportunities during Foundation Years. Please do help by completing this survey: https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_bw3UuWbF6nyppHg
• Taster days are an important part of the UKFPO curriculum and are available to all Foundation Year doctors, including F1s. Trusts should allow Foundation doctors to take Taster days as study leave, and if issues arise these should be raised with the local Training Programme Director (TPD).

The Foundation School team are exploring improvements to the support available to trainees returning to work after a prolonged time out-of-training. A key part of this is learning about trainees’ experiences in returning to work. If anyone has had any experience with this and are happy to discuss it, then please email one of james.harkness1@nhs.net, melissa.matthews11@nhs.net, anum.zahra@nhs.net.

The current support available to trainees returning to work can be found here: https://london.hee.nhs.uk/professional-development/supported-return-training

If you wish to contact us as the Foundation School representatives, please email us.

Please contact the Foundation School via the online Portal. This can be found here: https://lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk/support/home

London Foundation School Representatives

Please see contact details for appointed School Reps below:

Sub-Region	Grade	First Name	Surname	Email Address
North East London	F1	Rimsha	Khan	rimsha.khan2@nhs.net
North East London	F1	Francis	Elechi	francis.elechi@nhs.net
North Central London	F1	Zina	Al-Kaisy	Z.alkaisy1@nhs.net
North Central London	F2	Mickaela	Nixon	m.nixon1@nhs.net
North West London	F1	Melissa	Matthews	Melissa.matthews11@nhs.net
North West London	F2	James	Harkness	james.harkness1@nhs.net
North West London	F2	Syeda	Zahra	anum.zahra@nhs.net
South East London	F1	John	Gillespie	john.gillespie3@nhs.net
South East London	F2	Lily	Scourfield	lily.scourfield@nhs.net
South West London	F1	Ellinor	Raby	e.raby1@nhs.net
South West London	F2	Gabriela	Barzyk	gabriela.barzyk1@nhs.net

Useful links

https://london.hee.nhs.uk/professional-development/courses-and-conferences

FAQS

Horus - Changes and updates