The overall judgement of satisfactory completion of F2 will indicate that the F2 doctor has met or exceeded the minimum levels of performance required for sign-off for each of the 13 foundation professional capabilities (FPCs). This will lead to the award of a Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion (FPCC), which will allow the foundation doctor to be eligible to apply to enter core, specialty or general practice training.
Throughout F2
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.
Towards the end of F2/preparing for ARCP
Foundation schools to publish ARCP timetable (min. 6 weeks for F2s to finalise e-portfolio evidence).
Local education providers/foundation schools to establish ARCP panels.
The review
Every F2 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.
Outcome 6 (recommended for sign off)
Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.
PG Dean or authorised deputy (typically FSD) to consider ARCP outcome and, if in agreement, issue the Foundation Programme Certificate of Completion (FPCC).
(Gold Guide 9: 4.98)
Outcome 3 (inadequate progress – additional training time required)
Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.
Foundation School Director to arrange remedial training.
The foundation school should write to the F2 doctor setting out the process for an appeal.
(Gold Guide 9: 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.
The appeal should be addressed to the Postgraduate Dean and must specify the grounds for the appeal.
An appeal will only be heard if the Postgraduate Dean (or nominated representative) considers there to be sufficient grounds for an appeal.
(Gold Guide 9: 4.158, 4.169-4.182)
Outcome 4 (released from training programme)
Foundation doctor notified of ARCP outcome and signs ARCP outcome form.
The foundation school must inform the GMC of an outcome 4.
The foundation school should write to the foundation doctor setting out the process for an appeal.
(Gold Guide 9: 4.112, 4.115)
Appeal against an outcome 4
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.
The appeal should be addressed to the Postgraduate Dean and must specify the grounds for the appeal.
An appeal will only be heard if the Postgraduate Dean (or nominated representative) considers there to be sufficient grounds for an appeal.
Outcome 5 (incomplete evidence presented – additional training may be required)
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)
Other (for example, doctor training less than full time, on long term sick leave etc)
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”)