Priority Programmes
*Please note that the priority programmes are updated annually in mid to late August, though we do not anticipate large changes, the new spreadsheets will appear below*
We have put forwards a number of programmes to the UKFPO priority programmes initiative. Please review the spreadsheets attached. Also please review the UKFPO website documents around priority programmes and application. These are new programmes and ideas, and are still in the 'beta' version. We think they will be an excellent opportunity for our trainees, and add value to our programmes. You will help with evaluation and feedback.
As always, as documented in the UKFPO handbook, the spreadsheets below are indicative, so that you must check the National Application [currently Oriel] posts not just post numbers. It is important to note that the NHS is a constantly changing system and even after being matched to an individual programme, there will be situations when placements within that programme may change because of service redesign, working time directive regulations or national directives (UK-wide). More rare are upload errors. We check all posts with trusts twice a year. Also, to be noted, is that only minimal post descriptors are on oriel, so the posts may include other specialities, be part based with a theme in the area stated and may cross cover acute areas. Please discuss specifics with the trusts. Therefore, as stated in the handbook and on Oriel, these are subject to change at short notice and each placement is not guarenteed even when the programme is accepted. Although we minimise this, on rare occasions the placements will change and at this point we will have already endeavoured to minimise disruption.
A list of programmes will be available for applicants to view... Some UoAs will only upload programmes that are typically available based on previous years and will be subject to change prior to the national allocation to foundation schools. All UoAs will provide a final list of 2022 programmes ..., before the primary list allocations take place, and before applicants are required to rank individual programmes. It is important to note that the NHS is a constantly changing system and even after being matched to an individual programme, there will be situations when placements within that programme may change because of service redesign, working time directive regulations or national directives (UK-wide).
1. We are providing a bespoke psychiatry themed programme with a longitudinal integrated psychiatry approach [LIFT]
For these, there will be a week in the first month of each academic year in psychiatry followed by one day a week spent in psychiatry. This is through both F1 and F2. the hospital specialties are then linked with psychiatry through the ES case discussion. This is based at Ipswich acute hospital in collaboration with NSFT mental health trust. It is a new and innovative post, so you would help evaluate it. You do have 6 standard placements with the psychiatry day weaving through both years. It is expected in the first year you would work with a single psychiatry firm throughout the year [though this can be altered] and in the second year have exposure to psychiatric specialties. Our NSFT hosts are very excited about this opportunity. We believe this may be a particularly interesting post for someone considering a career in psychiatry. However, since there are also 6 other post, this is equally suitable for all career options. As more information is available, it will be added to the files section at the bottom.
The trainees will all receive:
o There would be a psychiatry ES
o Day each week spent in psychiatry throughout F1 and F2
o Invite to psychiatry teaching through the year
o Careers and application support and mentoring
o Attendance at psychiatric hub event
o QA project based in psychiatry
2. Our bespoke speciality themed posts
These are created so they can link learning into the planned specialty with expert mentorship and supervision. These are predominantly in paediatrics and general practice, although there is an obstetrics and gynaecology themed rotation at James Paget and an OMFS themed post at PAH. you have still the standard 6x 4 month posts within the foundation training and will get broad and balanced curriculum coverage for application to any ongoing core or specialty training and not limiting your other opportunities. However, we do hope that they will particularly attract people considering GP or Paediatrics or obstetrics and gynaecology for a career. Again these are innovative posts, and you will be part of the evaluation team.
Trainees will all receive:
- A dedicated themed specialty ES for these three posts;
- ½ day each month in F2 with themed specialty meeting led by ES discussing cases from their teams ;
- Invite to themed specialty teaching through the year;
- Careers and application support and mentoring;
- Attendance at themed specialty sub regional teaching as appropriate;
- QA project based in themed specialty
3. Bespoke less than full time training posts [LTFTT]
*Please can all applicants for these email Dr H barker or Dr R Banerjee to discuss your rationale for LTFTT or discuss as these innovative placements* if you missed applying for these through priority programmes and are allocated to us for FP, again please email , as these may still be available, but will not be visible on the FP spreadsheets on ORIEL at that point.
Through the foundation review welcome and valued workstream there have been presentations and discussion around equity in training for LTFTT, it has been clear that the short four month placements do not give adequate time for LTFT trainees to embed fully so these are 6 month placements, created specifically for LTFTT. Work/life balance has been highlighted as a mounting concern to doctors in training. Rotas that force staff to choose between work and their personal responsibilities – eg being a parent – can negatively affect job satisfaction and retention. this allows trainees the security of knowing their planned placements across three years. We would anticipate most trainees would wish to work 60%, these are flexibly 60-80%. Discussion around OOH work would be with the local trusts as these posts have been created in addition to the usual roster, giving you the flexibility for percentage. For those working at less than 80%, there will be a need to extend beyond three years to do equivalent time, and this will be discussed at your end of F1 ARCP in the second year. These are new and innovative posts, and although designed for trainees wishing to be LTFT across their foundation training, we are aware that circumstances change and we would look to be flexible in the F2 component particularly. Again, since no schemes like this have been created before, there is some organisational and central learning as part of the running of them.
Also, on ORIEL, whilst it appears that there is an F3 year, in practice F1 will last approximately 18-20 months dependent on the percentage part time, so the F1 ARCP and progress to full licence will be in the second year, potentially mid post so both are appropriate for F1 or F2 doctors. A subsequent 18-20 months approximately subject to individual calculation will be required for F2, hece a definite 3 year programme, and a potential further extension.
Anticipated trainees:
1. Children under 16 (or under 18 with special needs)
2. Own Health- needs GP/OH/ specialist support
3. Carer role
4. Unique opportunity for professional/personal development (eg Olympic sport)
These posts are based at W Herts, Southend and PAH Harlow in EBH FS and at NNUH Norwich in EAFS
For these posts there is some confirmation required specifically in the third year placements, and therefore the final configuration will be confirmed by the opening of the application window. The trust will remain constant, and there is not anticipated to be significant change. This is a reflection of the short time frame given to produce such innovative posts, and the trusts process to confirm.
4. Posts associated with a leadership apprenticeship at QEH Kings Lynn in EAFS
Please take your enquiries to the trust as to how this will work in practice
5. Generalism
Generalism is about equipping doctors to work across traditional disciplinary and speciality boundaries. It isn’t the same as general practice. It isn’t the same as general internal medicine (though doctors in these and many other fields can still be generalists). Generalism is not about being an expert at everything. It is about a mindset that allows you to extend your skill set to suit tasks that you come across in your career. It is about a flexibility and adaptability of approach rather than a rigid commitment to a single narrow area of specialist knowledge. A generalist is a valuable team member, a natural leader and is resilient when the world changes around them.
These programmes are part of the national trailblazer offer of Generalism to support the development of the future doctor.
These posts include additional educational programme elements and a longitudinal integrated clerkship in F2 between primary and secondary care, with additional opportunities aligned with the future doctor strategy.
Postholders will have two 6-month placements in F2 and will spend approximately 2/3 of time in the acute care element and 1/3 in the Generalism element.
Please see our webpage https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/foundation/training-programme/school-generalism for more details as this exciting and innovative programme evolves.
We have generalism posts available for August 2023 start (August 2024 F2 with GLIC) at the following trusts:
- Colchester Hospital: x8 posts available
- East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust (Lister Hospital): x4 posts available
- James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Great Yarmouth): x2 posts available
- Luton and Dunstable University Hospital: x4 posts available
- The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (Harlow): x4 posts available
- West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust (Watford): x4 posts available
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust: x4 posts available
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (Broomfield): x 12 posts available
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately due to significant pressures on the ambulance service we can no longer offer the pre-hospital component of this rotation. We are therefore reluctantly withdrawing it as a Foundation Priority Programme but will continue to offer the rotation excluding the pre-hospital component as part of the standard Foundation Programme at James Paget Hospital.
