There are 36 Foundation Year 1 programmes (FY1) at ESHT.
Each programme comprises 3 x 4-month posts.
The Foundation programme includes formal weekly teaching sessions, monthly afternoon workshops, directed and self-directed personal learning, structured appraisal and assessments.
The Foundation Training Programme Directors for ESHT are Dr Javaid Rahmani and Mr Graham Watson.
The Foundation Programme is supported by two administrators, Anita Todd and Catrina Turner.
Foundation year 1
Across both sites there are posts in Surgery, Elderly Medicine, Diabetes, Urology, Respiratory, Gastro, Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and ITU. Some posts also include time in the Acute Assessment Unit.
Foundation year 2
Across both sites there are posts in General Practice, Elderly Medicine, Respiratory, Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Emergency Department, ENT, Paediatrics, Diabetes, Ophthalmology, Public Health, Psychiatry and Palliative Care.
All community placements include a day or half a day attachment per week in Emergency Medicine or ITU.
Feedback from our F1 / F2 doctors
Dr S FY2 – I enjoyed a hugely varied F2 year, in Paediatrics, public health and A&E. My co-workers were welcoming and very supportive as I got to grips with a wide variety of new skills, and the foundation programme co-ordinator helped me organise both ALS and EPLS courses during my F2 year as well as providing helpful sessions on the ever-changing MMC application programme. I left feeling confident in my clinical skills and with fond memories of a friendly hospital.
Dr K FY2 - Excellent clinical support, if you’re unsure you can always find someone to help. Encouraged to pursue academic research and audits. Excellent career advice. Friendly staff, especially in the Postgraduate Centre. Good opportunity to get practical experience.
Dr R F1 and F2 - As a foundation year 1 and 2 trainee it was a fantastic experience. The foundation tutors and staff were excellent and the support we got from them was second to none and they were always easy to approach. The training I received during my foundation years was extremely useful with good support from colleagues in the surgical and medical departments. No wonder when I chose my specialist training I chose the trust as my first preference and was trilled in obtaining it.
Dr A FY2 - I believe that my foundation years were essential for me to progress in my career. The environment was friendly especially in terms of gaining knowledge and experience in different areas of medicine, surgery and work in the community. The Foundation Lead was very supportive, helpful and easy to approach as well as the Foundation Administration team.
Dr N FY2 – I want to express my satisfaction at being part of the FY2 Programme. I enjoyed all of my rotations and learnt a lot from our teaching sessions. Socially it was wonderful, still remembering our barbecue and games. I liked it so much that I decided to stay on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for making the FY2 year a memorable one.
For further information regarding the Foundation Programme contact Anita Todd (anitatodd@nhs.net) or Catrina Turner (catrina.turner@nhs.net)
