What happens after foundation programmes?

Three years is hardly any time to implement a new framework for doctors, training, and yet 2007 is the date set to roll out the full complement of training reforms for specialists. The Modernising Medical Careers working party responsible for overseeing the changes, openly agrees that there is still a lot to do. According to Derek Gallen, a member of the working party, most of the plans for what happens after exiting foundation programmes are “still up in the air.”

Various reasons are touted for these radical changes in doctors' training, but the key reason behind the reforms is to improve service provision. Derek Gallen says: “There's a need to increase consultant numbers and workforce and move towards a consultant led service. To do that, there needs to be a reduction in the length of time in training, whilst increasing the educational content of that training so there's not a reduction in patient care.” Despite the looming implementation date, not much is concrete, and structures and processes are still liable to change.

Simon Calvert, deputy chair of the BMA's Junior Doctors Committee, says that the BMA sees this as an opportunity to improve the current situation where high expectations often lead to disappointment: “Doctors may be unrealistic in their expectations and not know that they are unable to get an SpR [specialist registrar] number and spend ages as an SHO [senior house officer] before giving up--this is a waste of their time.”