F1 ARCP process

A satisfactory ARCP will indicate that the F1 doctor has met or exceeded the minimum expected level of performance required for sign-off for each of the 13 foundation professional capabilities (FPCs). This will lead to the award of a Foundation Year 1 Certificate of Completion (F1CC), which will inform the medical school as to whether they should complete and issue the GMC Certificate of Experience (CoE). Once the certificate is issued, the foundation doctor is eligible to apply for full registration with the GMC. The GMC expects satisfactory achievement of all domains set out in ‘Promoting excellence: standards for medical education and training’ and reproduced in the Foundation Programme Curriculum syllabus outcomes.

If an F1 doctor appeals the outcome of an unsuccessful ARCP, the appeal may involve the medical school if the FD is a UK graduate.

Evidence including SLEs, reflections, learning, assessment and meetings are conducted as per the FP Curriculum (2021) and Gold Guide framework.

All evidence contemporaneously recorded in the e-portfolio.

Foundation schools to publish ARCP timetable (min. 6 weeks for F1s to finalise e-portfolio evidence).

Local education providers/foundation schools to establish ARCP panels.

Every F1 doctor’s e-portfolio is subject to an annual review. The panel completes an ‘ARCP outcome form’, which details the review and recommends an ARCP outcome.

The foundation doctor must acknowledge receipt of the outcome.

Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.

Foundation School Director to consider ARCP outcome and, if in agreement, issue the F1 Certificate of Completion (F1CC).

(Gold Guide 9: 4.95-4.97)

Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.

Foundation School Director to arrange remedial training.

The medical school (for UK grads) or foundation school (for non-UK grads) should write to the F1 doctor setting out the process for an appeal.

(Gold Guide 9: 4.99, 4.102-4.111)

Appeal against an outcome 3

Foundation doctors can only appeal if they can demonstrate that evidence confirming they had met all of the required outcomes contained in the curriculum was available to the ARCP panel, by the specified date, and was not considered appropriately.

Outcome 3 appeals will be heard by the responsible foundation school.

(Gold Guide 9: 4.158, 4.169-4.182)

Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.

The graduating UK medical school and the foundation school must inform the GMC of an outcome 4.

The medical school (for UK grads) or foundation school (for non-UK grads) should write to the F1 doctor setting out the process for an appeal.

The foundation school, (in partnership with the medical school for UK grads) should offer the F1 doctor career counselling.

(Gold Guide 9: 4.112-4.114)

Appeal against an outcome 4

Foundation doctors can only appeal against the processes that led to the recommendation to end F1 training, not the educational decision itself.

For UK graduates, the appeal will normally be heard by the university of graduation.

Non-UK graduates will have their appeal heard by their responsible foundation school.

(Gold Guide 9: 4.158, 4.169-4.182)

Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.

A further ARCP is scheduled.

Foundation doctor updates e-portfolio with adequate evidence and explains (in writing) the reasons for the deficiencies to the panel.

(Gold Guide 9: p72)

Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.

A further ARCP is scheduled, if appropriate.

(Gold Guide 9: p72 “When an outcome is not issued”)