UKFPO Bulletin

(As an ex-IMG, I recall the difficulties of trying to find accommodation for my family, open a bank account and buy a car in Australia during a fellowship year – in a country where I spoke the language fluently and more or less understood the healthcare system – and, no, I don’t recall getting any help from the hospital I worked for either.  I also remember spending my last $10 AUS on a radio for my wife who was going stir crazy in our new home with two young children.  I don’t think I suffered and overt prejudice but they did rather look down on my MRCPCH as inferior to the Australian exam).

Certain minority ethnic groups are also disadvantaged in certain outcomes.  Black trainees are more likely to have their training extended, are less likely to receive an offer of specialty training and have lower pass rates in specialty exams.

There is an average 10% gap in attainment in the exam pass rates for doctors from the lowest and highest socio-economic backgrounds.

Trainees with a disability have a lower specialty exam pass rate and a lower proportion of ARCP successful outcomes.

Although some of these hurdles occur later in training, we in Foundation can ensure we provide an equitable foundation for training in the early years to give our doctors the best start in their careers.  This must include providing ‘reasonable adjustments’ and extra support for doctors in vulnerable groups that will puts them on an equal footing with their peers.

As always, there is information on all this on the website. You can also email questions to educationandsupport@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

Best wishes
Tony Choules, Operational Advisor to the UKFPO