Sudanese Doctors in Training ~ UK

e-Guide to the Foundation Programme

2012

Contents

Introduction Why pursue a medical

career in the UK? Abbreviations & terms you

should know GMC and MMC What is the Foundation

Programme? FP Application Process IELTS PLAB 1 & 2 Visa Summary Final words of advice References

Disclaimer: Please note this e-Guide has been

complied by junior doctors who have undergone the Foundation Programme (FP) recruitment process. It is in no way verified or endorsed by the GMC or UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO)

All information included in this guide is sourced from the relevant official websites, details of which can be found in the References section

Every possible effort is made to provide information that is accurate, however please check the official websites for updates

Sudanese Doctors in Training ~ UK is a network of doctors who have graduated from a university in Sudan and are intending to or are pursuing a career in the United Kingdom. The main purpose of this network, by the will of Allah, is to provide support and guidance to colleagues thereby easing their journey from Sudan to living and working in the UK.

This e-Guide is aimed at doctors who will / have recently graduated from universities in Sudan, and are intending to pursue a medical career in the United Kingdom. It summarises all the essential information regarding the important steps to take and provides links to useful websites.

Introduction

Why pursue a medical career in the UK

Advantages

Protocol/Guidelines-based practice High standard of care for patients Team-lead practice Financial security Specified working hours Supervision and training for junior

doctors Opportunity to attend valuable

courses

Disadvantages

Lots of paperwork Inexperience in working in the

NHS Limited practical/surgical

experience Lots of medico-legal tension! Poor continuity of care due to ‘shift

work’

Abbreviations and terms you should know

GMC General Medical Council MMC Modernising Medical Careers PMETB Postgraduate & Medical Education & Training

Board IMG International Medical Graduate SMG Sudanese Medical Graduate UKFPO UK Foundation Programme Office FP Foundation Programme FPAS Foundation Programme Application System IELTS International English Language Testing System PLAB Professional & Linguistic Assessment Board PMQ Primary Medical Qualification

EEA Economic European Area Deanery regional NHS organisation responsible for

postgraduate medical training

GMC & MMC

GMCThe purpose of the General Medical Council is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.

To practice as a doctor in the UK, you must be registered with the GMC. There are two types of registration:

Provisional: for doctors who have not completed an internship after graduating

Full: for doctors who have satisfactorily completed an internship and can practice unsupervised

Quotes from www.gmc-uk.org and www.mmc.nhs.uk/medical_education/about_modernising_medical_care.aspx

MMCModernising Medical Careers (MMC) was introduced in 2007 as a programme of radical change to drive up the quality of care for patients through reform and improvement in postgraduate medical education and training. 

Some of its main principles are: Recruitment of doctors should be fair

and transparent Speciality training should comply to

nationally agreed standards Every trainee should be assessed

annually to ensure completion of required competencies

Trainees should have access to career support prior to and during speciality training

What is the Foundation Programme?

It is the UK’s 2 year training programme undertaken after graduating from medical school and prior to starting speciality training

The national application process is completed in approx. 12 months, beginning in July through to August the year after

Application to the Foundation Programme is via their website:

www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

The FP is separate to the GMC. You must apply directly to the GMC for registration, and to the FP for job allocation

Provisional GMC registration is required to work as an FY1

Each year consists of three 4 month placements in a variety of specialities

The learning objectives for foundation doctors is set by the GMC

An online ‘e-Portfolio’ is used to help junior doctors collect and provide evidence of the competencies stated in the FP Curriculum. This is necessary for successful completion of FY1

Upon completion of FY1 you are granted Full GMC registration and can proceed to an FY2 job

Timeline for FP 2012 ~ InshaAllah

8th D

ece

mber

15

th F

ebru

ary Primary list

applicants informed of specific programme match

2011 2012

18

th July Apply for

Eligibility

DEADLINE

19 August

3rd O

ctober Register and

enrol on FPAS

DEADLINE

10th October1

0th O

ctober

Submit Application

DEADLINE

21st October

Application results available to view online

16

th D

ece

mber

Referees should submit reference

DEADLINE

24th February 22

nd M

arc

h DEADLINE

Must have passed PLAB 1 or booked the test on 22nd March

1st A

ugust

First day at work as a Foundation Doctor

Biltawfeeq InshaAllah!

29

th M

arc

h Reserve list applicants allocated

DEADLINE

25th July7th O

ctober

DEADLINE

To obtain the right to work in the UK

Please note! The UKFPO has released the following information regarding proof of right to work in the UK:

For FP 2012 we expect there will be more fully eligible applicants than there are vacancies. The final number will not be known until the 21 October 2011. If there are more fully eligible applicants than vacancies, we will not consider applicants from graduates who do not have the right to work in the UK by 7 th October 2011. Individuals from this category will be withdrawn from the national recruitment round. If you are an IMG and cannot provide evidence, you may still submit your eligibility documentation for consideration. If you are deemed eligible, you may go on to submit an application form on the FPAS when the system opens in 10 th October 2011 should you wish to do so. However you should bear in mind that it is very likely your application will not be considered.

FP Application Process

The application process consists of:National 1. Eligibility checking 2. Online registration and enrolment3. Submission of online application

form4. Applications scoring5. Allocation to foundation school

Local6. Selection of programme

preferences7. Matching to a programme within

the school8. Pre-employment checks

Please note! Application to the Foundation

Programme can only be done online, via their website

You must read the FP 2012 Applicant Handbook from cover to cover! It will explain the process in more detail, including how to register on FPAS

Eligibility: 18th July – 19th August 2011

Documents required:

1. Original Eligibility Application form (includes eligibility for GMC provisional registration and right to work in the UK)

2. 2 passport sized photos3. Original Medical School Dean’s

Statement4. Photocopy of Academic transcript (i.e

your results during medical school)5. Photocopy of Medical Degree

Certificate if you have graduated, OR Official letter from Dean if you have not graduated yet

6. IELTS7. Booked / passed PLAB 1 (Or you may

send this evidence separately but must be received by the 18th November 2011)

Please note:

You can download the appropriate forms from the Foundation Programme website (found in the ‘Key Documents’ section)

The Eligibility Application form contains detailed guidance on how it should be completed. Please follow these instructions carefully!

You should request an up-to-date academic transcript of your results, even if you have not graduated yet

If you have not graduated you must provide an official letter (on headed paper!) from your Dean with the expected date of graduation and issue of your certificate

These documents should be received by the UKFPO by 19th August 2011. Their address can be found in the guidance notes. They will notify you by email with regards to your eligibility

Deans Statement form

Please note! The dean must answer ‘Yes’ to all the questions in their statement for you to accepted on the FP and exempt from the IELTS exam

Online Application form 10th – 21st October

From the 3rd October 2011 you can register on FPAS via the FP website. Click on ‘Registering an account’

Follow the instructions to receive a login name and password

Enter your personal data: name, date of birth and email address EXACTLY as you supplied it to the medical school and UKFPO, otherwise you may experience delay in your application

When asked for an email address do NOT use Hotmail as you may not receive their emails

You will be emailed an activation link. Click on this link

Once your account is activated, you can enrol onto the FP 2012 recruitment round

The actual application form will only be available from the 10th to the 21st of October

The application form will have the following main sections Personal Information Qualifications References (you must get 2

references) Questions: Educational

achievements and 5 short answer questions (nothing to worry about!)

Preferences (here you get to rank the deaneries in order of preference depending on where you hope to work)

More information about the application process can be found (in detail!) in the 2012 FP Applicants Handbook which can be downloaded from the FP website

PLAB 1 & 2

You must pass both parts to receive GMC registration In order to receive registration in time and be allocated a job via the

Foundation Programme, you must sit PLAB 1 by 22nd March 2012 Please note! You should book these tests as early as possible as they

get fully booked very quickly!

PLAB 1 PLAB 2

Requirements Primary Medical DegreeIELTS or send proof of exemption

Successful completion of PLAB 1

Fee £145 £430

Structure MCQs and EMQs OSCE: 5 minute stations

Valid for 3 years -

Results available within

Approx 3 weeks Approx 3 weeks

Frequency of test

4 times a year, in 14 cities Varies, up to 3 exams per month. Held in Manchester, UK only

PLABs

Who needs them?

If you are holding a UK nationality but have graduated from a Non-UK Medical University in a country where English is not the native language (bummer, I know)

If you are an IMG and have obtained your PMQ from of Non-UK or EEA country

Who doesn’t?

You hold an EEA nationality (regardless of the country of Qualification)

OR

Graduated from a EEA Medical University

How do I book my PLAB exam?

First step is to create a GMC account

Huh??(see next page)

Why a GMC account?

Once created, it is through this account that you will be able to:

a) Get a GMC Reference numberb) Book your PLAB examsc) View your PLAB resultsd) Apply for registration

You need to create the GMC account only once

You will need the following details to set up the

account:

1. Details of your primary medical qualification (PMQ)

2. Details of your current valid passport

3. A postal address that we can contact you at (known as your registered address)

4. An email address

How to create a GMC Account:

1. Open: www.gmc-uk.org

2. Click ‘GMC Online for Doctors’

3. Select ‘I am a new user’

4. Choose the appropriate option

5. NOTE: If you choose option 3 you will be directed to the PLAB section. Click on ‘Part 1 Guidance’ (left hand side) and then ‘To book a PLAB test online’

6. Then ‘Set up an

online account’

Evidence of English Language

You need to provide the GMC with enough evidence to prove that you are competent in using the English to communicate well with patients and colleagues.

You will need to provide the GMC with one of two: IELTS, OR Alternative evidence

The type of evidence you need to provide is dependent on how long you qualified

1) Those who graduated less than 12 months before applying for the PLABs: Provide Alternative Evidence

1) Those who graduated more than 12 months prior to applying for the PLABs: You will need to take the IELTS exam and achieve the minimum score required

IELTS: Take the Academic Module.

How to register:

Follow the instruction in this link: http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/how_do_i_register/how_do_i_register.aspx

Minimum IELTS score required:A score of 7 in each part of the exam: Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening

This isn’t a difficult exam, best tip is to focus and DO NOT PANIC!

More on that!

Alternative Evidence:An original letter or certificate from the institution where you qualified that confirmsa) All elements of the course, including clinical activities, were taught and examined solely in Englishb) At least 75% of any clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, which took place as part of the course of study, was conducted in Englishc) The date you passed your final examination

AndA statement that you have not taken the IELTS test before

How do I provide Alternative Evidence?

You can either ask your University to compile a statement quoting the above mentioned points, or you can include these points in your Certificate of Good Standing (CGS)The Dean of your medical school has to sign the Officially headed CGS

N.B: Your IELTS certificate is valid for only 2 years at the time you SIT (not book) your PLAB 1 exam. If it has been more than two years since you have passed your IELTS, then

Show the GMC you have been using English as the main language at work

How can I prove it ?!1. Your IELTS certificate showing that you have

achieved the required score (7 in all parts of the exam)

PLUS

2. A certificate confirming that you have been in a postgraduate course in which English was the main language of teaching, instructions, and examination

OR

3. A certificate confirming that you were involved in postgraduate studies in a country where English is the First language

VISAMost of our SMGs are Non-UK/EEU nationals who qualified in a Non-UK medical school. Those SMGs will need to apply for permission (or visa) to enter the UK when:

Taking your PLAB exams For interviews To start your employment as an FY1

Types of Visa relevant through the various stages of your application to work in the UK:

PLAB VisaWork permit

•In order to apply for your ANY visa, there are several documents which need to be provided:1. An up to date Passport2. Passport-sized Photographs3. TB Clearance: needed if you are planning to stay in the UK for more than 6 months4. Biometric data: Finger prints, a Picture taken at the Visa application center

In a nutshell….

1. PLAB visa:Categorized as Business visitor: Doctors coming for the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test (PLAB)

2. Work permit:Recent changes to immigration regulations included:Foundation training is considered as employment not training, therefore a permission to remain and work in the UK (also known as “Work Permit”, ”Tier Sponsorship”, or “Leave to remain”) has become mandatory prior to starting your employment

Types of Tier Sponsorship:1.Tier 2 sponsorship: Granted to SMGs who are offered employment by a trust/Deanery2.Tier 1 and Tier 4 Sponsorship.To keep things simple, we will only explain the Tier 2 Sponsorship, as it is the most applicable Work permit to SMGs

Your eligibility to applying for the Work permit will depend on “points” which will be calculated by the Home Office when you apply for the Tier 2 Sponsorship using a point-based calculator which will award you points based “Attributes”.

PLAB visa (Business visa) Tier-2 visa

Used for Entering the UK for the PLAB exam/s Employment

Valid for 6 months Max. 3 years

Requirements • Letter (usually an email) confirming your PLAB 1 OR 2 booking

• Complete the VAF9 form.• Fill in Appendix 5.• Certificate of Sponsorship: it’s a number provided to

you by the Trust once you accept a job.• Evidence of English Language (i.e. IELTS). • TB clearance. (from IOM in Khartoum)

Fees (if applying outside the UK)

265 GBP 400 GBP

N.B: When applying for the Tier-2 Sponsorship, you will need to provide evidence to show that you have enough funds (money) to last you at least a month in the UK.How to provide evidence for Maintenance funds:1.Provide a bank statement from YOUR BANK ACCOUNT (not your Dad’s) to show that you have had a minimum of 8oo GBP for at least three months prior to applying for the tier 2 Sponsorship.2.2. A certificate from the Employing Trust confirming that they will sponsor you financially (ya3ni provide you with a roof on top of your head) during the first month of your employment (i.e. till your first pay-day).

More info…

Summary

1. Apply for eligibility2. ± Graduate3. Make a GMC account and book

PLAB 1 (latest 22nd of March 2012)4. Complete the online FP application

form5. Sit and pass PLAB 1 inshaAllah!6. Sit and pass PLAB 2 inshaAllah!7. Apply for a Visa8. Begin work in August 2012 if you

were allocated a job via the FP or9. Apply for jobs via nhs.jobs website

Final words of advice

Make duaa and pray istikhara multiple times! Allah will surely ease the way to what is best for you!

Try to get as much information about the application process, what it is like working in the UK etc so that you can make an informed commitment. Coming to work in the UK is, initially, both financially and mentally straining (exams) so make decisions carefully

There is a lot of information available via websites, which is too much to read all at once (especially if you are in the middle of exams!). Before applying for eligibility it may be sufficient for you to just read this e-Guide, but after graduating you will have time to look at the relevant websites in more detail, Inshalla Allah

Familiarise yourself with the Foundation Programme and GMC website. They are not the easiest websites but it is important that you read all the relevant information before you complete the online application form (especially the 2012 FP handbook!)

The GMC website and emails can be very discouraging sometimes (e.g. “The job market in the UK is very competitive and you should think very carefully about whether you are willing to take the risks involved in competing for posts.” They also ask you to cancel your PLAB 2 booking before its too late! Don’t worry about this. If Allah has written rizq for you in the UK no one can stop you getting it!

The foundation Programme makes it easier to secure a job for 2 years. However do not worry if you don’t get accepted to the FP. Once you receive GMC registration you can apply directly to vacancies (these are usually advertised online on websites such as www.jobs.nhs.uk and BMJ careers)

References

Modernising Medical Careers www.mmc.nhs.uk You can find information on this

website regarding:Role of the MMCSpeciality trainingCareers advice

NHS employers www.nhsemployers.org There is a pdf document that you

can download from this website which is written for IMGs. You can find detailed information about the Life in the UK, NHS, Immigration rules etc

To find the document, open the website and search for: Working and training in the National Health Service. Click on the link and the pdf should open in a new window

General Medical Council www.gmc-uk.org You can find information on this

website regardingPLAB guidance, dates and resultsIELTSGood Medical Practice

Foundation Programme www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk Please download and carefully read

the FP2012 Applicants Handbook All forms required for FP 2012

Eligibility can be downloaded from the ‘Key Documents’ section

Please note: information regarding the academic Foundation Programme is not covered in this e-Guide, but is available on the website

References

For more information about the Ter-2 Sponsorship:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general//

For applying for visa: http://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/iappl

y.portal

How to apply for visa: Click on “Form Finder”. Enter the details which apply to the type

of visa you wish to apply for. It’s user friendly and easy to use, just

type the details which apply best for you (whether the aim of your visit is the PLABs or for Work).

Visa Application Fees: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

howtoapply/visafees