Staffordshire Foundation School
Go to their homepage.
If you're applying this October, the Academic Foundation Programme information has now been released. However there may still be information related to this year's normal Foundation Programme applications that is not yet available. We will be updating this page as soon as it is published.
If you're applying this October, the Academic Foundation Programme information has now been released. However there may still be information related to this year's normal Foundation Programme applications that is not yet available. We will be updating this page as soon as it is published.
Geography
Trusts and Hospitals
o University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent (teaching hospital)
o University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent (teaching hospital)
- Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust
o Stafford Hospital, Stafford
o Cannock Chase Hospital, Cannock - Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
o Queen's Hospital, Burton-on-Trent (teaching hospital).
Linked Universities
Keele University School of Medicine
University of Leicester
Statistics
F1 Posts Available
102 F1 posts.
There are 30 Academic Foundation posts across the West Midlands Deanery
102 F1 posts.
There are 30 Academic Foundation posts across the West Midlands Deanery
Competition Ratio
41% in 2012 (from the UKFPO's 2013 Applicant's Handbook).
41% in 2012 (from the UKFPO's 2013 Applicant's Handbook).
Scores of Successful Applicants
A breakdown of distribution of application scores for Staffordshire Foundation School can be found here.
NOTE: Remember that these numbers fluctuate from year to year, so looking at the statistics from just one year can be misleading.
A breakdown of distribution of application scores for Staffordshire Foundation School can be found here.
NOTE: Remember that these numbers fluctuate from year to year, so looking at the statistics from just one year can be misleading.
The Application Process
Interviews
There are interviews once applicants have been allocated to programmes. This is not the case for any of the other Foundation Schools in the West Midlands Deanery.
There are interviews once applicants have been allocated to programmes. This is not the case for any of the other Foundation Schools in the West Midlands Deanery.
Appointment to F2 Programmes
Successful F1 applicants are allocated to a one-year programme with a second, competitive application to Staffordshire Foundation School or other Schools within the West Midlands Unit of Application occurring during F1.
Second allocation is based on progress during early F1, using F2AP (which scores candidates on trainee preference rankings and their e-portfolio outcomes standards, and a global assessment from the trainee's education supervisor). The process of matching starts in February of F1.
Successful F1 applicants are allocated to a one-year programme with a second, competitive application to Staffordshire Foundation School or other Schools within the West Midlands Unit of Application occurring during F1.
Second allocation is based on progress during early F1, using F2AP (which scores candidates on trainee preference rankings and their e-portfolio outcomes standards, and a global assessment from the trainee's education supervisor). The process of matching starts in February of F1.
Linked applications
Linked applications are not honoured at Trust/programme level.
Linked applications are not honoured at Trust/programme level.
The Programme
Posts Available
Programmes available at the Staffordshire School can be found here on their website.
Rotations are 3 x 4 months for both F1 and F2.
Programmes available at the Staffordshire School can be found here on their website.
Rotations are 3 x 4 months for both F1 and F2.
Teaching
Bleep-free formal teaching is provided for at least 1 hour per week in accordance with the foundation curriculum.
Bleep-free formal teaching is provided for at least 1 hour per week in accordance with the foundation curriculum.
Study Leave
No study leave is permitted for F1, however career tasters can be arranged in the last eight months of the F1 year.
F2s have 15 days' study leave across the year to gain experience in other specialties. The full study leave policy document can be downloaded here.
No study leave is permitted for F1, however career tasters can be arranged in the last eight months of the F1 year.
F2s have 15 days' study leave across the year to gain experience in other specialties. The full study leave policy document can be downloaded here.
Swap Shop
It is not possible to swap rotations once you have been allocated to a programme.
It is not possible to swap rotations once you have been allocated to a programme.
Training Options
Providing eligibility criteria are met, Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training may be undertaken. Further information about LTFT training can be found here.
Overseas training during the Foundation Programme is not supported.
Providing eligibility criteria are met, Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training may be undertaken. Further information about LTFT training can be found here.
Overseas training during the Foundation Programme is not supported.
Academic Foundation Posts
This year, interviews for the West Midlands Unit of Application will be on 10th January 2013.
There are 30 academic posts available across the West Midlands Deanery. There are 10 programmes with 3 places available in each.
You can download 'Academic Foundation Job Descriptions' from their main Academic Foundation Programme page. Rotations are 3 x 4 months, and there is direct progression to F2 which contains a 4-month dedicated academic placement.
The specialties offered in the academic programmes include Endocrinology and Diabetes, Renal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Public Health, Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, General Practice, and Rheumatology. Some of the F2 posts provide the opportunity to be involved in Medical Education; however if this is your specific interest it may be best to contact the School directly to enquire about Medical Education as a component of an academic post.
The jobs are linked to the Universities of Birmingham, Keele or Warwick.
University of Birmingham
University of Keele
University of Warwick
There are 30 academic posts available across the West Midlands Deanery. There are 10 programmes with 3 places available in each.
You can download 'Academic Foundation Job Descriptions' from their main Academic Foundation Programme page. Rotations are 3 x 4 months, and there is direct progression to F2 which contains a 4-month dedicated academic placement.
The specialties offered in the academic programmes include Endocrinology and Diabetes, Renal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Public Health, Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, General Practice, and Rheumatology. Some of the F2 posts provide the opportunity to be involved in Medical Education; however if this is your specific interest it may be best to contact the School directly to enquire about Medical Education as a component of an academic post.
The jobs are linked to the Universities of Birmingham, Keele or Warwick.
University of Birmingham
- There is a specific 4-month Tuesday afternoon academic training programme designed to teach generic research skills. The programme can be found here.
University of Keele
- Generic research skills will be taught during the academic programme. For a short description of the academic foundation programme at University of Keele, click here.
University of Warwick
- If you are part of the University of Warwick, there is a compulsory generic skills programme on Thursday afternoons during F2. The University of Warwick also offers a number of entry routes into continuing professional development from short courses to specialist Masters programmes. For more information about the programme, click here.
Medical Education Posts
Some of the F2 posts in the West Midlands Unit of Application provide the opportunity to be involved in Medical Education; however if this is your particular interest it may be best to contact the School directly to enquire about Medical Education as a specific component of an academic post.
Some of the F2 posts in the West Midlands Unit of Application provide the opportunity to be involved in Medical Education; however if this is your particular interest it may be best to contact the School directly to enquire about Medical Education as a specific component of an academic post.
Highlights (in their words)
Burton Hospitals Trust
"At Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, training is coordinated by our supportive and helpful medical workforce team.
"A broad range of pratical experience is provided in core foundation skills. Posts are based in the main hospital in core specialties with community placements in local mental health providers and health centres. There is an on-site simulation centre and an active postgraduate training programme.
"The hospital has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with good support provided to trainees. The hospital runs a junior doctor patient safety forum which has helped a number of foundation trainees present audits and patient safety work at national meetings.
"There is a two week structured shadowing period just prior to commencement of the FY1 post which includes ILS and assessment of the acutely ill patient to allow refreshing/consolidation of acute skills before starting work. It also allows FY1s to meet their new colleagues and develop supportive teamworking relationships.
"The hospital is well situated at the south end of the Peak District with good road links to all parts of the United Kingdom."
Burton Hospitals Trainee Comments
"My time at Queen's Hospital Burton has been thoroughly enjoyable and I will leave with many happy memories. The junior doctors bonded immediately, and there has never been any animosity ever between any of the staff. The fact that Queens is a relatively small hospital means you know everyone on a first name basis, and it feels like a real family unit. Everyone is willing to help and I have never felt shy or unable to ask for advice from nurses, other doctors and seniors."
"I had an amazing time in Burton, loved it :). The support provided by the staff in the medical education centre is exceptional ! The best place for an international medical graduate to start their career in the UK!"
North Staffordshire Trust
"The University Hospital of North Staffordshire is one of the newer teaching hospitals in the UK. The provision of education is undertaken by the most enthusiastic group of doctors and nurses one could wish for, who take a very hands and personal approach to its delivery. In order to advance training at all opportunities we host numerous courses throughout the Trust, and also host Trust wide research presentation days.
"The University Hospital of North Staffordshire is situated in a position in Staffordshire that is adjacent to three other counties, Shropshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire and is therefore surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside. Driving to and from work is remains a daily pleasure and the opportunities for weekend recreation are endless. We also have an excellent group of theatres clubs and bars that provide entertainment from a quiet cafe culture coffee, to hosting The Halle Orchestra and the latest up-and-coming pop group. Naturally it must be said we are very closely positioned to Alton Towers for those wanting the thrills and spills of the big rides. The Hospital and the University have numerous social societies including a hospital orchestra and choir."
North Staffordshire Trainee Comments
"My supervisors have supported me with audits and case reports and I have presented these at national and international scientific meetings. Hopefully, these achievements will help me in future years to secure a Core Medical Training and ultimately a Cardiology registrar post."
"I was in tears when my parents dropped me off at the doctors' accommodation and thought my whole life was about to end. I was so wrong ...There is a very active doctors mess committee who arrange various heavily subsidised events over the course of the year. We've enjoyed free meals at the local restaurants (of which there are a variety), nights out at bars with a whopping tab behind the bar and of course the Winter Ball amongst others."
Mid Staffordshire Trust Trainee Comments
"Obviously I had read and heard a lot in the media about Stafford Hospital but I came with an open mind as actually working somewhere is very different to what you hear externally...There are the same pressures as in any hospital, but the support and training I have received have been brilliant."
"At Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, training is coordinated by our supportive and helpful medical workforce team.
"A broad range of pratical experience is provided in core foundation skills. Posts are based in the main hospital in core specialties with community placements in local mental health providers and health centres. There is an on-site simulation centre and an active postgraduate training programme.
"The hospital has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with good support provided to trainees. The hospital runs a junior doctor patient safety forum which has helped a number of foundation trainees present audits and patient safety work at national meetings.
"There is a two week structured shadowing period just prior to commencement of the FY1 post which includes ILS and assessment of the acutely ill patient to allow refreshing/consolidation of acute skills before starting work. It also allows FY1s to meet their new colleagues and develop supportive teamworking relationships.
"The hospital is well situated at the south end of the Peak District with good road links to all parts of the United Kingdom."
Burton Hospitals Trainee Comments
"My time at Queen's Hospital Burton has been thoroughly enjoyable and I will leave with many happy memories. The junior doctors bonded immediately, and there has never been any animosity ever between any of the staff. The fact that Queens is a relatively small hospital means you know everyone on a first name basis, and it feels like a real family unit. Everyone is willing to help and I have never felt shy or unable to ask for advice from nurses, other doctors and seniors."
"I had an amazing time in Burton, loved it :). The support provided by the staff in the medical education centre is exceptional ! The best place for an international medical graduate to start their career in the UK!"
North Staffordshire Trust
"The University Hospital of North Staffordshire is one of the newer teaching hospitals in the UK. The provision of education is undertaken by the most enthusiastic group of doctors and nurses one could wish for, who take a very hands and personal approach to its delivery. In order to advance training at all opportunities we host numerous courses throughout the Trust, and also host Trust wide research presentation days.
"The University Hospital of North Staffordshire is situated in a position in Staffordshire that is adjacent to three other counties, Shropshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire and is therefore surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside. Driving to and from work is remains a daily pleasure and the opportunities for weekend recreation are endless. We also have an excellent group of theatres clubs and bars that provide entertainment from a quiet cafe culture coffee, to hosting The Halle Orchestra and the latest up-and-coming pop group. Naturally it must be said we are very closely positioned to Alton Towers for those wanting the thrills and spills of the big rides. The Hospital and the University have numerous social societies including a hospital orchestra and choir."
North Staffordshire Trainee Comments
"My supervisors have supported me with audits and case reports and I have presented these at national and international scientific meetings. Hopefully, these achievements will help me in future years to secure a Core Medical Training and ultimately a Cardiology registrar post."
"I was in tears when my parents dropped me off at the doctors' accommodation and thought my whole life was about to end. I was so wrong ...There is a very active doctors mess committee who arrange various heavily subsidised events over the course of the year. We've enjoyed free meals at the local restaurants (of which there are a variety), nights out at bars with a whopping tab behind the bar and of course the Winter Ball amongst others."
Mid Staffordshire Trust Trainee Comments
"Obviously I had read and heard a lot in the media about Stafford Hospital but I came with an open mind as actually working somewhere is very different to what you hear externally...There are the same pressures as in any hospital, but the support and training I have received have been brilliant."
GMC Quality Assurance and National Training Survey