This guidance does not apply to foundation doctors based in Jersey or Kassel. For further information contact the relevant education team.
National study leave guidance requires that study leave is categorised as essential, supporting or aspirational. There is no essential study leave in the foundation programme. ALS and other curriculum related courses (QI, education, leadership/management) are considered supporting and any other activity (such as conference attendance) is aspirational.
F1 Study Leave
As detailed in the Terms and Conditions for NHS Doctors in training paragraph 36, study leave for F1 doctors will take the form of regular scheduled teaching/training sessions at the employing organisation.
F2 Study Leave
F2 study leave will comprise employer based or regional teaching/training sessions and leave to sit professional examinations aligned to future career intention. For many F2 doctors, no additional study leave will be required to meet the outcomes of the foundation curriculum.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Courses
Wessex Foundation School funds ALS courses at each employing hospital. Foundation doctors in Wessex must access ALS courses via their employer. If any Foundation doctor is unable to access a course at their hospital, they should contact their local education team who will assist them. Please do not book an external course.
Taster days
To support career planning, foundation doctors can take up to 10 taster days across F1 and F2, up to 5 of which can be taken in F1. Taster days will be deducted from F2 study leave entitlement. Taster days are expected to be taken at the employing organisation but taster days at other Wessex employers may be considered if the specialty is not represented at the doctor’s own organisation.
Presenting at a scientific conference
Applications to attend one scientific conference (including the National Foundation Doctors Presentation Day) in either F1 or F2 will be supported if a foundation doctor is presenting their own original work. Attendance at a UK course is usually fully funded and international courses part funded. For full details, please refer to study leave application guide. Conference attendance will be deducted from the F2 study leave entitlement.
Courses
In addition to the above, F2 doctors can attend one course. This course must either be required to meet needs of their curriculum (supporting) or for career development (aspirational). Examples of courses likely to be approved are below
Supporting
Quality improvement course
Medical education course
Leadership and management course
.
Aspirational
Radiology course
*Part 1 membership revision course
*Basic surgical skills course
*Advanced paediatric life support course
*Advance trauma life support course
*Note that the benefit of these courses in recruitment to core and specialty training programmes is uncertain. Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with relevant recruitment criteria whilst planning their use of study leave.
How to apply
Information on the application process and expense claims is here. You must discuss any study leave activities with your educational supervisor before applying. Study leave is only granted to those on track to receive a favourable ARCP outcome.
Additional study leave in Enhance Explore programmes or F2 Public Health Fellowships
Foundation doctors appointed to enhance explore programmes or F2 public health fellowships may be granted additional study leave to attend education days organised as part of these programmes at the discretion of Wessex Foundation School.