Foundation training programme oversubscribed

22 December 2010

THERE are not enough training posts for junior doctors entering the foundation programme in 2011, it has been confirmed.

The UK Foundation Programme Office has revealed there is a surplus of 184 applicants – or two per cent – for 7,073 foundation school places due to start in August 2011. The UKFPO said those trainees have been put on a reserve list "pending allocation to foundation training programmes over the coming months."

The shortfall has been blamed on "unprecedented" numbers of applications from overseas doctors, including from within the EU, which forced the UKFPO to implement contingency plans. Under the plans, applicants were ranked in score order, with the highest scorers put on a primary list. On December 8, the UKFPO said more than 90 per cent of primary list applicants had been allocated to their first choice foundation school.

Professor Derek Gallen, UKFPO national director, said: "I am delighted that over 90 per cent of those placed [on December 8] got their first choice foundation school, although there is still work to do to make sure those on the reserve list are placed.

"The UKFPO and the foundation schools have worked hard to make this process go smoothly, particularly in light of the oversubscription this year. However, there is no room for complacency and we will continue to improve the process in response to feedback from students and other stakeholders."

The remainder of applicants will be cascaded through on highest point score by being put on a reserve list and will be allocated places as they arise in five batches in March, May, June and twice in July. Where several applicants have the same score and there are only a few places left, they will be chosen at random in a bid to make the system fair, the UKFPO says.

If any are still unplaced by the end of July they will be referred back to their medical school, but the UKFPO considers this to be highly unlikely.

Professor Gallen added: "I am confident that all eligible applicants will be placed by the end of March." He based his view on last year’s figures that showed 400 applicants dropped out between allocation in December and the start of their foundation year. But he said: "We appreciate that this is a time of uncertainty for those who will not know what foundation school they are going to for another few months."

Karin Purshouse, chair of the BMA’s Medical Students’ Committee, hit out at the news, saying: "It is unacceptable for any UK medical graduate to be in a position where they might not be able to start a job as a junior doctor after medical school."

Read about the FP2011 contingency plan here