Junior doctors start work
This month, 6,500 junior doctors, who have recently graduated from medical school, start work in the NHS. They join 140,000 doctors currently working in the NHS in England.
Foundation programme
The junior doctors are known as foundation year one doctors (F1) and they take part in a two year programme in acute, foundation and mental health trusts, with a number of rotations across different medical specialities.
The foundation programme is relatively new and was introduced as part of the government’s drive to modernise medical careers. The programme is intended to form a bridge between medical school and specialist or general practice training for doctors.
The first year of the foundation programme will typically consist of at least three months in a surgical post and at least three in a medical post to provide trainee doctors with a broad range of experience. The second year consists of three varied four month placements, giving trainees an opportunity to try a number of different specialities before making a decision about which speciality training programmes they would like to pursue.
A career in medicine
Becoming a doctor isn’t an easy option – it takes years of study and hard work. If you like helping people there are few more rewarding or respected careers. You’ll be part of a team of professionals and non-medical staff delivering care to the highest standards in the NHS.
If you have that passion to improve people’s lives and the determination to reach the highest standards you will have a wide range of career opportunities. You can follow a path to one of many specialties, from working in a hospital as a surgeon to being based in the community as a GP. The training and support available to you in the NHS can help you get to the very top of your chosen career.
For more information on career opportunities in medicine click here.
