Welcome to the North West of England School of Foundation Training & Physician Associates

The Foundation Programme began in 2005 and originated from Modernising Medical Careers which set out the plans for the reform of medical training back in 2003.  Foundation training took over from the previous Pre-Registration House Officer (PRHO) and Senior House Officer (SHO) years and forms a two year programme of broad-based general training known as Foundation Year 1 (F1) and Foundation Year 2 (F2), which forms the bridge between medical school and specialist/general practice training. 

Whether you're already a Foundation trainee here with us, an employing trust in the North West hosting Foundation Training or a medical student considering which school to apply to for your training these pages will guide you through everything you need to know about Foundation here in the North West of England. 

The North West of England School encompasses the former North Western and Mersey Foundation Schools and covers a geographical area stretching from Leighton in the South to Barrow in Furness in the North and Isle of Man to the West. With nearly 2000 foundation training posts running in each training year this makes us one of the biggest single foundation schools in the UK.

Recruitment to Foundation Training is through an open and fair competitive selection process via the UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO) and the national website: www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk 

UKFPO is jointly funded and governed by NHS England (NHSE) and the 3 other UK health departments, and facilitates the operation and continuing development of the Foundation Programme.

Each two year foundation programme in the North West comprises a pre-approved series of six 4 month placements in a variety of specialties and healthcare settings.  Learning objectives for each placement are specific and focused on demonstration and achievement of clinical competencies.  The learning objectives are set by the regulatory body, the General Medical Council (GMC).  The Foundation Programme Curriculum is based on the GMC's Good Medical Practice and The Trainee Doctor and builds naturally on the competences, attitudes and behaviours acquired during undergraduate training. 

Generic competencies applicable to all areas of medicine are assessed in both F1 and F2, including team working, the interpretation and use of evidence and data, time management and communication; although the primary focus of training is the assessment and management of the acutely ill patient.

For more information about the North West of England including details of the programmes available and our acute employing trusts please navigate the links above (or quick links to the right) to access our pages.  

School Contact Details 

Our central email inbox is england.foundation.nw@nhs.net

We aim to respond to queries in a timely manner, however due to reduced team capacity and operating as a small team, during busy recruitment periods in March/April and September/October due to substantial email volumes it is likely this will extend somewhat and we will be delayed in responding to you so please be patient with us. Not all our team members will be working solely on recruitment matters at these times, as the school has an extensive portfolio of activity.

If your query is recruitment related and cannot be answered by the guidance and information on this website, please send to the central email inbox and we politely ask that you do not send duplicate emails to our team members personal email accounts also as this may delay us further in responding to you. Thank you. 

Manchester Office

NHS England - North West

3rd Floor

Three Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN

Liverpool Office

NHS England - North West

1st Floor, Regatta Place

Summers Road

Brunswick Business Park

Liverpool

L3 4BL

School Director & Deputy Postgraduate Dean - Foundation Training & Physician Associates

Professor Paul Baker

Deputy School Director & Associate Dean, Enhance Lead - Foundation Training & Physician Associates

Dr Joanne Rowell

Programme Support Business Manager 

Jacqui Phazey-Baines

Programme Support Manager

Julian (Alistair) Shepherd

Programme Support Coordinator

Melissa Dixon

Programme Support Officer

Alma Egan

Programme Support Administrator 

Annie Ahmed

Programme Support Administrator 

Sana Gul 

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