Doctors supported to work in unpopular areas

Health Education England has outlined its commitment to supporting doctors in the transition from medical school into training and working as doctors.

Publishing its review of the Post Graduate Medical Foundation Programme in England, the commitment includes plans to help specialties and areas of the country that particularly need more doctors, and supporting doctors from a wider range of backgrounds.

While the vast majority of foundation doctors have a good learning experience during their foundation training, Health Education England says that more needs to be done to make sure doctors feel valued, are able to work safely and have access to support.

The organisation will also distribute new foundation doctor training places in the geographical areas where they are needed most; create a common framework for early years career support to tie with the NHS People Plan and better inform doctors in training’s expectations about the changing needs of the NHS in England; and work with NHS Employers to develop a foundation doctor charter setting out how local education providers (LEPs) will support foundation training including best practice and minimum standards.

Wendy Reid, executive director of Education Health Education England, said: “This review forms a very key part of a significant programme of work we are leading with partners to reform Medical Education. We want to make sure that doctors are fully supported in the transition from medical school into training in a working clinical environment and from Foundation into specialty training. This includes making sure they have the best possible educational support and supervision.

“We can’t do this alone and this is why we are working with partners from across the NHS. These doctors are our future and we need to do everything we can to support them to provide the safest and highest quality care to patients and provide them with an outstanding training experience.”