Foundation Doctor Role and Responsibilities

Foundation Doctor's role and responsibilities within an integrated generic two-year programme.

The Deanery and Foundation Schools have produced a guidance document regarding the Foundation Doctor's role and responsibilities and minimum requirements for clinical supervision.

The first part of the document explains the purpose of the Foundation Programme, defines the role and responsibilities of Foundation Doctors, states the learning priorities for them and lists the general and clinical duties expected of Foundation Doctors. It also aims to advise supervisors on the tasks considered to be beyond the competence of Foundation Doctors and the tasks considered either appropriate or inappropriate for junior doctors at this level of training. The second part of the document defines the minimum requirements of clinical supervision for Foundation Doctors that all Local Education Providers must follow and put in place with an immediate effect.

It is important that all Local Education Providers ensure that all supervisors and other personnel working with Foundation Doctors are familiar with this document before they have been assigned to work with a Foundation Doctor.

Similarly, it is important to ensure that all Educational and nominated Clinical Supervisors have read the Foundation Programme Curriculum, which is available at http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/pages/home/key-documents#foundation-programme-curriculum

In addition, we would remind you that the terms PRHO and SHO are no longer correct.  Therefore, the Deanery and Foundation Schools request that each Local Education Provider encourages supervisors and other internal staff working with Foundation Doctors to use the correct terminology (Foundation Doctor) both verbally and in all documents and guidelines.