F2 Abroad

Wessex Foundation School will no longer offer F2 Abroad after 2024. The number of places for F2 Abroad for 2024 is 6.

Process

Wessex Foundation School will consider applications for F2 abroad in New Zealand and Australia. Applications for F2 abroad in other countries cannot be approved.

Applications from Wessex Foundation School doctors to undertake F2 outside the UK will only be considered if supported by the doctors Foundation Programme Director.

To complete a training programme outside the UK, both the individual and the proposed posts require approval.

The applicant is responsible for arranging the placement outside the UK which will deliver the equivalent of the F2 curriculum.

The proposed training programme must be approved by a Wessex Foundation School Director in advance of commencing F2 and the rotation must represent a programme balanced between different specialties.

The employing organisation outside the UK will need to agree to the following:

1. To provide appropriate educational and clinical supervision for the F2 equivalent to that expected in the UK
2. To use the current version of the foundation programme curriculum
3. To provide education and training appropriate to F2 doctors
4. To assess the doctors in accordance with the foundation curriculum using the eportfolio

The doctor will not receive payment for study leave during their F2 Abroad as they will not be working for a Wessex employing organisation.

Application process

The maximum number of places available for F2 abroad in 2024 is 6. As part of the application form, applicants are required to submit a personal statement of up to 300 words justifying why they wish to complete F2 abroad. A selection panel will convene to make the appointments based on personal statement, the applicant e-portfolio will also be reviewed to confirm that it is up to date and demonstrates that the applicant engages with the e-portfolio and their professional development Applicants may additionally be invited to attend an interview with the panel as part of the selection process.

The F1 doctor must complete the online F2 abroad application Form. Application window is 02/01/2024 – 19/01/2024.

The F2 abroad process is made up of two parts:

Part A (to be submitted no later than 19/01/2024)

1. F2 abroad application form, including foundation doctor commitment.
2. Reference from current F1 Trust Foundation Programme Director, obtained by Foundation School

Part B (to be submitted no later than 01/04/2024)

A copy of the offer letter from the host institution must be provided by the foundation doctor.

Contact details including email addresses for human resources and Director of Medical Education (or equivalent) at the host institution should be a provided by the foundation doctor. The foundation school will use this to obtain confirmation that the host institution will provide the appropriate training and details of supervisors.

Information about the placement and the individual posts must be provided prior to commencement of F2 abroad.

The Foundation School will arrange for the Educational and Clinical Supervisors to be set up on the eportfolio so that they can oversee the assessment process and submit reports online.

Placements

Prospective approval of a placement outside the UK for foundation training will require the employing hospital to provide assurance that:

• It provides high quality training programmes for doctors at a similar stage of experience

• It can deliver the foundation curriculum at the appropriate level

• It will provide appropriate clinical and educational supervision

• It will provide a named educational supervisor/trainer who will provide supervision/mentorship for the doctor and ensure that the doctor is able to complete the necessary assessments in line with the foundation curriculum and the eportfolio

• It will provide the doctor with access to career advice and support.
• Programmes must comprise a total of 12 months (whole time equivalent) and must comprise a rotation with a broad range of specialties. The start date for the rotation must be no later than 1^st October 2024
• A Wessex Foundation School Director must approve all posts
• Opportunities to achieve the outcomes necessary for satisfactory completion of F2

• Whilst in the placement, the doctor must participate in a formal teaching programme that covers the topics outlined in the foundation curriculum

• The doctor must undertake a supervised quality improvement project

• Clinical and Educational Supervisors’ reports on the doctor’s progress should be agreed with the doctor and submitted on the eportfolio for each post

• Wessex Foundation School must be notified if there are any significant educational or training concerns

FOUNDATION DOCTOR’S COMMITMENT WHILST IN A PLACEMENT OUTSIDE THE UK

The doctor seeking approval for a foundation placement outside the UK must agree:

To complete all the requirements of the foundation curriculum on the eportfolio

• To undertake all assessments, SLEs and complete other requirements prior to their ARCP

• To follow the foundation curriculum

• To keep in contact with Wessex Foundation School

• Keep the foundation school up to date with any changes to their planned rotation

PROCESS ON COMPLETION

At the end of the year the Foundation Doctor must:

• Ensure that their eportfolio is completed and that the necessary assessments, SLEs and reports have been submitted. Clinical and Educational Supervisor reports must be submitted for each post.
  
  
• Liaise with the Foundation School about arranging an appropriate date for their ARCP. ARCPs are usually held several weeks before the end of the F2 training year. The ARCP will be carried out remotely, based on the eportfolio. Wessex Foundation School will convene a panel to undertake the ARCP.
  
  

Although a placement outside the UK may have prospective approval, Wessex Foundation School is not responsible if any aspect of the programme does not meet the required standard such that the foundation doctor is unable to complete the necessary experience to allow them to successfully complete F2.