If you see yourself as a researcher, a medical educator, a Specialised Foundation Programme, SFP (formerly AFP) may be for you.
Specialised (formerly Academic) foundation doctors are required to follow the same curriculum and to meet the same foundation outcomes as other foundation doctors, but must also complete additional academic work within the same two-year period. Therefore, SFP applicants should have excellent clinical skills and a strong record of academic achievement.
We have a variety of different academic programmes running within the East of England. These cover research, education and education/simulation. These are based in both our schools. We would suggest that all medical students consider where they would like their future career to lead, and consider applying for an academic programme with us as well as the standard foundation application. A taste of research, or an early exposure to educational principles may help direct the course of your future career, even if not directly academic!
Application:
Please carefully read the UKFPO applicants handbook. UKFP https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/programmes/2-year-foundation-programm...
East of England SFP
We have research SFP placements based around Cambridge University, UEA and ARU.
We also have education SFP placements based at University of Hertfordshire, UEA, ARU
The East of England Foundation School is separated into 4 quadrants:
- East Anglia East: Norfolk and Norwich, James Paget, Ipswich, Colchester, West Suffolk
- East Anglia West: Papworth, Addenbrookes, Hinchingbrooke, Peterborough, QEH Kings Lynn
- Essex: Southend, Basildon, PA Harlow, Broomfield
- Beds and Herts: Lister Stevenage, Watford, Luton Bedford
Educational SFP - East of England Educational
Your F1 programme is 3 x 4 month clinical placements – so no different from a standard F1 however it is sensible during this time to link in with your F2 academic supervisors to consider and draft some elements of your project.
You will also be asked to attend the general welcome session and also the poster presentation day.
You will complete a PGCert in your F2 year, where you will work approx 60% clinically and 40% in education on your PGcert, completing a project and working predominantly with your local education team, the hub and sim delivery teams. The project should be focussed on post graduate medical education – aiming to add value to our Foundation programmes
Please see the handbook below of the appropriate activities. Your trust will provide you with an academic supervisor who will complete the correct form to confirm that you have covered the requirements. Projects are usually pilot studies or evaluations and are discussed in F1 to find suitable projects, supervisors and review outcomes. The majority of your time is within your trust, improving and evaluating within the foundation programme.
- Anglia Ruskin University provide 8 Foundation doctors with clinical placements at Basildon or Southend. (Essex quadrant)
- The University of Hertfordshire provides 6 foundation doctors with placements in F2, at East and North Herts or Luton. (Beds, Herts quadrant)
- The University of East Anglia provides 8 foundation doctors with placements at Ipswich (EAFS East quadrant) or Kings Lynn (EAFS West quadrant).
Please see prospectus below.
Research SFP - Cambridge University (CATO)
These are 2-year Foundation programmes with the opportunity to undertake a four month specialist research placement in F2 at Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge. Each F1 year is a standard 3 x 4 months clinical placements and is undertaken at a peripheral district general hospital to maximise clinical exposure:
F1 is spent at:
Lister Stevenage, Bedford (Beds, Herts quadrant),
PAH Harlow (Essex quadrant)
Peterborough, QE Kings Lynn (East Anglia West quadrant)
West Suffolk (East Anglia East quadrant)
Please see the prospectus available below
Research SFP – Norwich/UEA (NATO) (East Anglia East quadrant)
Both years of the NATO research SFP are based in Norwich. Again the first year is a standard 3 x 4 month clinical programme. The second year includes the 4 month academic block.
Specialties include medicine, surgery, neurosciences, perioperative medicine, general practice and public health.
Please see prospectus below.
Research SFP – ARU (Essex quadrant)
New for Aug 2024 F1 entry we are excited to offer 2-year academic foundation programmes based in Essex. Again the first year is a standard 3 x 4 month clincal placement structure based at the same hospital as your F2 year. The F2 year includes a 4 month academic placement based at :
Vision and Eye Research Institute (clinical rotations at Southend)
Circulatory Health Research Group Basildon (clinical rotations at Basildon)
Veterans and Families Institute for Military ad Social Research (clinical rotations Broomfield)
Burns and plastics - St Andrew’s Burns Centre (clinical rotations Broomfield)
Please see prospectus below
Please contact england.foundationrecruitment.eoe@nhs.net with any queries.
Life following a specialised programme
We are keen in the East of England to promote your career in your specialist programme field. We have an array of clinical fellow posts advertised, which are very successful. Many Academic trainees moved to do a PhD , or Dip Ed and MEd. In our region we support clinical fellows in simulation and education to work less than full time clinically, and the rest in education. Our educational fellows help support the specialist educational foundation doctors, so will be able to provide you with careers help, as well as project help and a wider faculty.
