November 2024
Message from the Associate Dean
Hello
As I write this, it’s 6 weeks until Christmas. My kids have written their letters to Santa (with detailed explanation of why the correct Pokemon is important), the tree is ordered and I’ve almost finished Christmas shopping. As most of my shopping has been online, I’m struck by the number of emails from shops requesting feedback - about the order, delivery, product. It feels endless.
I’m also conscious that the number of surveys and feedback you all receive can at times seems incessant. But I do want to reassure you that the feedback we get as a Foundation School is used to improve the process for all of you. We meet regularly with your Foundation School reps and we’re keen to adapt and improve in response to suggestions. We hope that the Trust reps can maintain close contact with the School reps in each area to ensure we get regular feedback. One of the suggestions has been to ‘Enhance the Enhance offer’. With this in mind, we’re launching monthly Leadership webinars aligned with the Enhance Programme. The inaugural webinar will be with Professor Chris Whitty on Weds 5th February, 12pm. Please save the date and more details on this series to follow
We’ve also heard that more support and signposting is needed for ARCP. We’ll also be hosting a webinar for FDs focused on ARCPs in January. There are many more ideas. Please do feedback to your reps any other ideas for how we can improve and shape the school for you.
My final plea is to complete the National Education and Training (NETS) Survey 2024. I’ve recently met some of you at Quality visits at trusts across London. We take the data collected from NETS and the GMC National Training Survey very seriously and this does enable us to ensure you’re all receiving high quality training wherever in London you’re working.
Look forward to hearing more brilliant and innovative ideas.
Thanks again for your time.
Best wishes
Ali
Dr Alice Carter
Associate Dean (Foundation and Undergraduate)
NHS England - London
New Updates
NEW: Follow-Up: National F1 Induction Survey
Dear Foundation Year One Trainee
Many thanks to those of you who participated in part one of the induction survey. This second survey is designed to provide further information which will be used to develop our induction programme for trainees in the future. We plan to share this information as widely as possible so your contribution could potentially make a significant difference to future trainees.
Please complete this survey regardless of whether you completed the initial survey.
There is an opportunity to provide more in-depth feedback as outlined in the final question.
To access the survey please log onto https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/followupinduction2024
If possible, please complete the survey in one sitting since you will not be able to access it later. It should only take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire is anonymous, and your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.
Yours faithfully
Clare
Clare van Hamel
Deputy Postgraduate Dean - Foundation
NHS England – working across the Southwest
Reminders & Guidance
REMINDER: F2 Responsible Officer Details
F2s MUST ensure they are connected to the correct Responsible Officer for Revalidation. It is essential you do not connect to an NHS trust and do not contact the Responsible Officer asking them to connect to you.
You must do this yourself by following the guidance on the GMC website: https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/revalidation/my-db-tool
Current Responsible Officers for London:
- Dr Gary Wares – NHSE Education North London (North Central and East London and North West London)
- Dr Gary Wares – NHSE Education South London
REMINDER: 2024-25 TAB (Team Assessment of Behaviour) window dates for LFS
The 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 1
Opens: Friday 4th October 2024
Closes: Monday 2nd December 2024
Placement 2
Opens: Friday 7th February 2025
Closes: Monday 31st March 2025
Placement 3
Opens: Friday 18th April 2025
Closes: Monday 19th May 2025
REMINDER: Foundation Doctors Resignations
Please can we ask trusts to ensure that we are advised of any new Foundation Doctors who have resigned from training (if you’ve not already advised us already). Unfortunately, we aren’t always made aware.
Please use the PDMDE Support Portal to inform us click here to be directed to the PGMDE Support Portal.
REMINDER: PSA Sittings 2024/25
Please note that PSA is an F1 exit requirement, not an entry requirement for Foundation.
We do appreciate that PSA is undertaken by the majority of UK medical schools in the final year, and thus the majority of UK trained F1s will start with PSA. However, many F-IMGs will start F1 without PSA. We also acknowledge that many trusts will have their own independent prescribing assessments to ensure compliance with local prescribing policy, but this should be applied equitably to all F1s.
F1s who have still to pass the PSA can prescribe independently, with counter-signatory where possible. Where counter-signatory is not possible their prescriptions are equally valid to those of their colleagues. Like all F1 doctors, with or without PSA, they should seek advice when uncertain about prescribing. There is no need for any out of hours adjustments to F1s working who have not yet passed the PSA”.
Please note the dates for all PSA sittings (all held at 1pm):
- Thursday 20 March 2025
- Thursday 1 May 2025
We will be hosting a ‘How to pass the PSA’ in early January for those that have recently failed.
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: Study leave
F2 doctors can undertake one activity aligned with their career intention. This can be approved by your local F-TPD. In addition, F2s if presenting at a conference may request discretionary study leave. Please see below the steps of how F2 Doctors can apply for Discretionary Study Leave.
- Foundation Doctor (FD) seeks support from Educational Supervisor and trust (local) Foundation Training Programme Director (FTPD).
- Local FTPD seeks approval from the area deputy Foundation School Director (FSD)
- Deputy FSD replies to trust TPD, including study leave team.
- Local TPD can then reply to FD with outcome.
- 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.
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.
GUIDANCE: Foundation Doctors taking Parental Leave
Please can all foundation doctors who will be taking a period of Parental Leave, inform BOTH the Foundation school and the employing trust. Please use the following FAQ as guidance:
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
All FDs can apply to work less than full time for a wide variety of reasons. This can improve work life balance while enabling doctors to maintain a fulfilling career.
Requests to change LTFT % (increase or decrease) require 16 week notice period. Both Foundation curriculum and Gold Guide advise that the Foundation Programme takes 2 years to complete when working full time. Timelines will therefore be adjusted pro rata when individuals undertake training LTFT.
EXAMPLE.
F1 at 0.5 whole time equivalent (WTE): 12 DIV 0.5 = 24 months
F2 at 0.8 WTE: 12 DIV 0.8 = 15 months
In this example the whole Foundation programme would take 39 calendar months.
FDs will be issued a new end date and placement composition (specialty and possibly site of working) may change. FDs will still rotate 4 monthly to ensure they are able to attend local induction and stay in sync with colleagues. Additional 4-month posts will be allocated by the Foundation School to ensure that LTFT doctors have an educationally balanced programme. We will also liaise with Trusts regarding the timing of ARCPs.
You can apply to work LTFT via the portal. If you have any queries about working LTFT please contact us via the portal.
Please click the link below for guidance regarding Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training.
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
UKFPO Bulletin
To read the latest UKFPO Bulletin access the link below:
Courses, Events, Research and Competition
Webinar - Intro to Anaesthesia Part 2 – Guide to Success in the CT1 Anaesthetics Application: Tuesday 19th November 2024 (19:00 – 20:30)
This webinar that our association is running on the evening of Tuesday 19th November aims to help people with their CT1 Anaesthetics application:
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Education-events/Events/Event-Details/eventDateId/873
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health - Foundation Doctor Prize 2025
It’s the time of the year again when the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health requests all Foundation Schools to nominate their most outstanding Foundation Doctors with an interest in Paediatrics for the RCPCH Foundation Doctor Prize 2025.
Any London foundation doctor who wishes to be considered for nomination for this prize please complete the attached MS form by 5pm on Friday 22nd November 2024.
https://forms.office.com/e/pcZj2FYGku
Further details can be found on the RCPH website:
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/education-careers/fellowships-and-prizes/foundation-doctor-annual-prizes
NEW SRTT Course - Taking Control of your Career Return with Confidence
Wednesday 27th November 2024 (09.30-13.00)
https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/psu/8600274a-1a53-4f48-8760-86667ec96078
This half-day facilitated session focuses on building your career confidence and will provide practical steps that you can take to ease your transition back to clinical work. In this interactive workshop you will have an opportunity to share best practice and meet other clinicians virtually who are returning to clinical practice after a break.
By the end of the workshop you will have:
Experienced empowering and interactive techniques to build your self-belief and confidence
Appreciated your strengths and new transferable skills
Considered how transition points during your training could enhance your career and leadership potential
Planned practical aspects of your return, integrating your work return and long-term objectives
Identified resources available to you for your Supported Return To Training (SuppoRTT) and how to access them.
NEW SRTT Course - Strategic Communication and Assertiveness
Friday 29th November 2024 (14:00 – 17:00)
https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/psu/b43d4ece-f5e8-43f9-8421-9403acdd5a0e
Effective communication is essential in clinical practice, particularly when facing challenging interactions with colleagues. In this workshop, we will adopt an explorative and strengths-based approach to help you understand and develop strategic communication skills. This will empower you to handle difficult situations assertively, enhancing your ability to manage conflicts without harming professional relationships.
Through interactive group discussion and breakout groups, we will share activities and practical tools focused on conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills. By engaging collaboratively, you'll gain insights and techniques to enhance your capability with complex communications, ultimately contributing to a more positive and effective working environment in your clinical practice.
Learning Outcomes
· Communicate assertively in challenging situations without damaging professional relationships.
· Apply effective conflict management strategies when interacting with colleagues.
· Enhance negotiation and influencing skills to improve collaboration within hierarchical environments.
· Employ practical techniques to handle aggressive behaviours and navigate hierarchical challenges professionally.
Kind regards,
London SuppoRTT Team
NHS England
10 South Colonnade | Canary Wharf | London | E14 4PU
T. #SuppoRTT
W. https://london.hee.nhs.uk/professional-development/supported-return-training
The London SuppoRTT programme aims to support all trainees return to training safely and confidently after a sustained period of absence for any reason. Further information and links to other resources are on the SuppoRTT website.
Fundamentals of Orthopaedics: Autumn Series 2024
This is a free weekly online consultant-led series of webinars delivered over Zoom running since 2021, aiming to make orthopaedic education accessible to all from medical school to CCT.
Registration link: tinyurl.com/funortho2024
For more updates, please follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fun.orthopaedics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fun.orthopaedics
X: https://x.com/funorthopaedics
National Foundation Doctors Presentation Day 2025: 17th January 2025
The UKFPO are pleased to announce the National Foundation Doctors Presentation Day 2025 on Friday 17 January 2025.
Current foundation doctors in recognised Foundation Programmes in the UK or Malta are warmly invited to hold the date for the next NFDPD. We will invite you to submit abstracts relating to work undertaken during Foundation training in due course. Successful abstracts will be presented as 10-minute oral or 3-minute poster (mini-oral) presentations. Judges to include representatives from the UKFP, GMC, MSC, BMA & more.
Please find attached the event flyer and visit the NFDPD webpage for further information and how to apply.
Please forward onto your foundation doctors for consideration.
Kind regards.
UKFPO Team
W. www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk
NHS Learning Hub: August 2024 Update
Welcome to your August 2024 update from the Foundation elearning programme
The Foundation elearning programme covers key areas in your Foundation curriculum. It has been developed specifically for Foundation doctors by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in partnership with NHS England elearning for healthcare (NHSE elfh) and is approved by the UK Foundation Programme (UKFPO).
Please also look out for our posts on Twitter (@NHSE_TEL)
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
Careers Conversation
All foundation trainees have the opportunity to have an individual careers conversation with one of our career coaches which can be arranged by completing the application form at the following link:
Self-Awareness | London (hee.nhs.uk)
Career Exploration | London (hee.nhs.uk)
Please find links to revised Career Planning webpages for Foundation doctors in training containing new content, resources and videos.
Foundation Doctors | London (hee.nhs.uk)
FY: Choosing specialty - making a self aware and informed choice | London (hee.nhs.uk)
FY: Exploring medical specialties and other options | London (hee.nhs.uk)
FY - Arriving at a Decision | London (hee.nhs.uk)
FY: Speciality Applications and Interviews | London (hee.nhs.uk)
FY: Taking an F3 | London (hee.nhs.uk)
All current FY1/2 Trainees in London can also access up to three 1-2-1 careers appointments with experienced PSU careers consultants. Application form can be found here:
Careers Application 2024 | London (hee.nhs.uk)
Please note current London foundation doctors in training who are taking an F3 can still access 1-2-1 PSU careers appointments up to 3 months after they complete their FY training
School Foundation Reps
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 / Group |
Grade |
First Name |
Surname |
Email Address |
|
North East London |
F1 |
Alisha |
Kassam |
|
|
North East London |
F2 |
Rimsha |
Khan |
|
|
North East London |
F2 |
Francis |
Elechi |
|
|
North Central London |
F1 |
Kinan |
Wihba |
|
|
North Central London |
F2 |
Zina |
Al-Kaisy |
|
|
North West London & SFP |
F1 |
Federica |
Re |
|
|
North West London & SFP |
F2 |
Melissa |
Matthews |
|
|
South East London |
F1 |
Alexander |
Martindale |
|
|
South East London |
F2 |
John |
Gillespie |
|
|
South West London & SFP |
F1 |
Diego |
Agustín Abelleyra Lastoria |
|
|
South West London |
F2 |
Ellinor |
Raby |
|
|
IMG Pan London |
F1 |
Maria |
Mankaruis |
|
|
IMG Pan London |
F2 |
Nina |
Seylanova |
Useful links
https://london.hee.nhs.uk/professional-development/courses-and-conferences