1. Sudanese Doctors in Training ~ UK e-Guide to the Foundation Programme 2012

2. Contents Introduction Why pursue a medical career in the UK? Abbreviations & terms you should know GMC and MMC What is the Foundation Programme? FP Application Process IELTS PLAB 1 & 2 Visa Summary Final words of advice References

3. Disclaimer: Please note this e-Guide has been complied by junior doctors who have undergone the Foundation Programme (FP) recruitment process. It is in no way verified or endorsed by the GMC or UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO) All information included in this guide is sourced from the relevant official websites, details of which can be found in the References section Every possible effort is made to provide information that is accurate, however please check the official websites for updates Sudanese Doctors in Training ~ UK is a network of doctors who have graduated from a university in Sudan and are intending to or are pursuing a career in the United Kingdom. The main purpose of this network, by the will of Allah, is to provide support and guidance to colleagues thereby easing their journey from Sudan to living and working in the UK. This e-Guide is aimed at doctors who will / have recently graduated from universities in Sudan, and are intending to pursue a medical career in the United Kingdom. It summarises all the essential information regarding the important steps to take and provides links to useful websites. Introduction

4. Why pursue a medical career in the UK Advantages Protocol/Guidelines-based practice High standard of care for patients Team-lead practice Financial security Specified working hours Supervision and training for junior doctors Opportunity to attend valuable courses Disadvantages Lots of paperwork Inexperience in working in the NHS Limited practical/surgical experience Lots of medico-legal tension! Poor continuity of care due to ‘shift work’

5. Abbreviations and terms you should know GMCGeneral Medical Council MMCModernising Medical Careers PMETBPostgraduate & Medical Education & Training Board IMGInternational Medical Graduate SMGSudanese Medical Graduate UKFPOUK Foundation Programme Office FPFoundation Programme FPASFoundation Programme Application System IELTSInternational English Language Testing System PLABProfessional & Linguistic Assessment Board PMQPrimary Medical Qualification EEAEconomic European Area Deaneryregional NHS organisation responsible for postgraduate medical training

6. GMC & MMC GMC The purpose of the General Medical Council is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine. To practice as a doctor in the UK, you must be registered with the GMC. There are two types of registration: Provisional: for doctors who have not completed an internship after graduating Full: for doctors who have satisfactorily completed an internship and can practice unsupervised Quotes from www.gmc-uk.org and www.mmc.nhs.uk/medical_education/ab out_modernising_medical_care.aspx MMC Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) was introduced in 2007 as a programme of radical change to drive up the quality of care for patients through reform and improvement in postgraduate medical education and training. Some of its main principles are:  Recruitment of doctors should be fair and transparent  Speciality training should comply to nationally agreed standards  Every trainee should be assessed annually to ensure completion of required competencies  Trainees should have access to career support prior to and during speciality training

7. What is the Foundation Programme? It is the UK’s 2 year training programme undertaken after graduating from medical school and prior to starting speciality training The national application process is completed in approx. 12 months, beginning in July through to August the year after Application to the Foundation Programme is via their website: www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk The FP is separate to the GMC. You must apply directly to the GMC for registration, and to the FP for job allocation Provisional GMC registration is required to work as an FY1 Each year consists of three 4 month placements in a variety of specialities The learning objectives for foundation doctors is set by the GMC An online ‘e-Portfolio’ is used to help junior doctors collect and provide evidence of the competencies stated in the FP Curriculum. This is necessary for successful completion of FY1 Upon completion of FY1 you are granted Full GMC registration and can proceed to an FY2 job

8. Timeline for FP 2012 ~ InshaAllah 8 th December 15 th February Primary list applicants informed of specific programme match 2011 2012 18 th July Apply for Eligibility DEADLINE 19 August 3 rd October Register and enrol on FPAS DEADLINE 10 th October Submit Application DEADLINE 21 st October Application results available to view online 16 th December Referees should submit reference DEADLINE 24 th February 22 nd March DEADLINE Must have passed PLAB 1 or booked the test on 22 nd March 1 st August First day at work as a Foundation Doctor Biltawfeeq InshaAllah! 29 th March Reserve list applicants allocated DEADLINE 25 th July 7 th October DEADLINE To obtain the right to work in the UK Please note! The UKFPO has released the following information regarding proof of right to work in the UK: For FP 2012 we expect there will be more fully eligible applicants than there are vacancies. The final number will not be known until the 21 October 2011. If there are more fully eligible applicants than vacancies, we will not consider applicants from graduates who do not have the right to work in the UK by 7 th October 2011. Individuals from this category will be withdrawn from the national recruitment round. If you are an IMG and cannot provide evidence, you may still submit your eligibility documentation for consideration. If you are deemed eligible, you may go on to submit an application form on the FPAS when the system opens in 10 th October 2011 should you wish to do so. However you should bear in mind that it is very likely your application will not be considered.

9. FP Application Process The application process consists of: National 1. Eligibility checking 2. Online registration and enrolment 3. Submission of online application form 4. Applications scoring 5. Allocation to foundation school Local 6. Selection of programme preferences 7. Matching to a programme within the school 8. Pre-employment checks Please note! Application to the Foundation Programme can only be done online, via their website You must read the FP 2012 Applicant Handbook from cover to cover! It will explain the process in more detail, including how to register on FPAS

10. Eligibility: 18 th July – 19 th August 2011 Documents required: 1. Original Eligibility Application form (includes eligibility for GMC provisional registration and right to work in the UK) 2. 2 passport sized photos 3. Original Medical School Dean’s Statement 4. Photocopy of Academic transcript (i.e your results during medical school) 5. Photocopy of Medical Degree Certificate if you have graduated, OR Official letter from Dean if you have not graduated yet 6. IELTS 7. Booked / passed PLAB 1 (Or you may send this evidence separately but must be received by the 18 th November 2011) Please note:  You can download the appropriate forms from the Foundation Programme website (found in the ‘Key Documents’ section)  The Eligibility Application form contains detailed guidance on how it should be completed. Please follow these instructions carefully!  You should request an up-to-date academic transcript of your results, even if you have not graduated yet  If you have not graduated you must provide an official letter (on headed paper!) from your Dean with the expected date of graduation and issue of your certificate  These documents should be received by the UKFPO by 19th August 2011. Their address can be found in the guidance notes. They will notify you by email with regards to your eligibility

11. Deans Statement form Please note! The dean must answer ‘Yes’ to all the questions in their statement for you to accepted on the FP and exempt from the IELTS exam

12. Online Application form 10 th – 21 st October From the 3 rd October 2011 you can register on FPAS via the FP website. Click on ‘Registering an account’ Follow the instructions to receive a login name and password Enter your personal data: name, date of birth and email address EXACTLY as you supplied it to the medical school and UKFPO, otherwise you may experience delay in your application When asked for an email address do NOT use Hotmail as you may not receive their emails You will be emailed an activation link. Click on this link Once your account is activated, you can enrol onto the FP 2012 recruitment round The actual application form will only be available from the 10 th to the 21 st of October The application form will have the following main sections  Personal Information  Qualifications  References (you must get 2 references)  Questions: Educational achievements and 5 short answer questions (nothing to worry about!)  Preferences (here you get to rank the deaneries in order of preference depending on where you hope to work) More information about the application process can be found (in detail!) in the 2012 FP Applicants Handbook which can be downloaded from the FP website

13. PLAB 1 & 2 You must pass both parts to receive GMC registration In order to receive registration in time and be allocated a job via the Foundation Programme, you must sit PLAB 1 by 22 nd March 2012 Please note! You should book these tests as early as possible as they get fully booked very quickly! PLAB 1PLAB 2 RequirementsPrimary Medical Degree IELTS or send proof of exemption Successful completion of PLAB 1 Fee£145£430 StructureMCQs and EMQsOSCE: 5 minute stations Valid for3 years- Results available within Approx 3 weeks Frequency of test 4 times a year, in 14 citiesVaries, up to 3 exams per month. Held in Manchester, UK only

14. PLABs Who needs them? If you are holding a UK nationality but have graduated from a Non-UK Medical University in a country where English is not the native language (bummer, I know) If you are an IMG and have obtained your PMQ from of Non-UK or EEA country Who doesn’t? You hold an EEA nationality (regardless of the country of Qualification) OR Graduated from a EEA Medical University

15. How do I book my PLAB exam? First step is to create a GMC account Huh?? (see next page) Why a GMC account? Once created, it is through this account that you will be able to: a) Get a GMC Reference number b) Book your PLAB exams c) View your PLAB results d) Apply for registration You need to create the GMC account only once You will need the following details to set up the account: 1. Details of your primary medical qualification (PMQ) 2. Details of your current valid passport 3. A postal address that we can contact you at (known as your registered address) 4. An email address

16. How to create a GMC Account: 1.Open: www.gmc-uk.org 2.Click ‘GMC Online for Doctors’ 3.Select ‘I am a new user’ 4.Choose the appropriate option 5.NOTE: If you choose option 3 you will be directed to the PLAB section. Click on ‘Part 1 Guidance’ (left hand side) and then ‘To book a PLAB test online’ 6.Then ‘Set up an online account’

17. Evidence of English Language You need to provide the GMC with enough evidence to prove that you are competent in using the English to communicate well with patients and colleagues. You will need to provide the GMC with one of two:  IELTS, OR  Alternative evidence The type of evidence you need to provide is dependent on how long you qualified 1) Those who graduated less than 12 months before applying for the PLABs: Provide Alternative Evidence 1) Those who graduated more than 12 months prior to applying for the PLABs: You will need to take the IELTS exam and achieve the minimum score required IELTS: Take the Academic Module. How to register: Follow the instruction in this link: http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ how_do_i_register/how_do_i_register.aspx Minimum IELTS score required: A score of 7 in each part of the exam: Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening This isn’t a difficult exam, best tip is to focus and DO NOT PANIC!

18. More on that! Alternative Evidence: An original letter or certificate from the institution where you qualified that confirms a) All elements of the course, including clinical activities, were taught and examined solely in English b) At least 75% of any clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, which took place as part of the course of study, was conducted in English c) The date you passed your final examination And A statement that you have not taken the IELTS test before How do I provide Alternative Evidence? You can either ask your University to compile a statement quoting the above mentioned points, or you can include these points in your Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) The Dean of your medical school has to sign the Officially headed CGS N.B: Your IELTS certificate is valid for only 2 years at the time you SIT (not book) your PLAB 1 exam. If it has been more than two years since you have passed your IELTS, then Show the GMC you have been using English as the main language at work How can I prove it ?! 1. Your IELTS certificate showing that you have achieved the required score (7 in all parts of the exam) PLUS 2. A certificate confirming that you have been in a postgraduate course in which English was the main language of teaching, instructions, and examination OR 3. A certificate confirming that you were involved in postgraduate studies in a country where English is the First language

19. VISA Most of our SMGs are Non-UK/EEU nationals who qualified in a Non-UK medical school. Those SMGs will need to apply for permission (or visa) to enter the UK when:  Taking your PLAB exams  For interviews  To start your employment as an FY1 Types of Visa relevant through the various stages of your application to work in the UK: PLAB Visa Work permit In order to apply for your ANY visa, there are several documents which need to be provided: 1. An up to date Passport 2. Passport-sized Photographs 3. TB Clearance: needed if you are planning to stay in the UK for more than 6 months 4. Biometric data: Finger prints, a Picture taken at the Visa application center In a nutshell…. 1. PLAB visa: Categorized as Business visitor: Doctors coming for the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test (PLAB) 2. Work permit: Recent changes to immigration regulations included: Foundation training is considered as employment not training, therefore a permission to remain and work in the UK (also known as “Work Permit”, ”Tier Sponsorship”, or “Leave to remain”) has become mandatory prior to starting your employment Types of Tier Sponsorship: 1. Tier 2 sponsorship: Granted to SMGs who are offered employment by a trust/Deanery 2. Tier 1 and Tier 4 Sponsorship. To keep things simple, we will only explain the Tier 2 Sponsorship, as it is the most applicable Work permit to SMGs Your eligibility to applying for the Work permit will depend on “points” which will be calculated by the Home Office when you apply for the Tier 2 Sponsorship using a point-based calculator which will award you points based “Attributes”.

20. PLAB visa (Business visa)Tier-2 visa Used for Entering the UK for the PLAB exam/sEmployment Valid for 6 monthsMax. 3 years Requirements Letter (usually an email) confirming your PLAB 1 OR 2 booking Complete the VAF9 form. Fill in Appendix 5. Certificate of Sponsorship: it’s a number provided to you by the Trust once you accept a job. Evidence of English Language (i.e. IELTS). TB clearance. (from IOM in Khartoum) Fees (if applying outside the UK) 265 GBP400 GBP N.B: When applying for the Tier-2 Sponsorship, you will need to provide evidence to show that you have enough funds (money) to last you at least a month in the UK. How to provide evidence for Maintenance funds: 1. Provide a bank statement from YOUR BANK ACCOUNT (not your Dad’s) to show that you have had a minimum of 8oo GBP for at least three months prior to applying for the tier 2 Sponsorship. 2. 2. A certificate from the Employing Trust confirming that they will sponsor you financially (ya3ni provide you with a roof on top of your head) during the first month of your employment (i.e. till your first pay-day). More info…

21. Summary 1. Apply for eligibility 2. ± Graduate 3. Make a GMC account and book PLAB 1 (latest 22 nd of March 2012) 4. Complete the online FP application form 5. Sit and pass PLAB 1 inshaAllah! 6. Sit and pass PLAB 2 inshaAllah! 7. Apply for a Visa 8. Begin work in August 2012 if you were allocated a job via the FP or 9. Apply for jobs via nhs.jobs website

22. Final words of advice Make duaa and pray istikhara multiple times! Allah will surely ease the way to what is best for you! Try to get as much information about the application process, what it is like working in the UK etc so that you can make an informed commitment. Coming to work in the UK is, initially, both financially and mentally straining (exams) so make decisions carefully There is a lot of information available via websites, which is too much to read all at once (especially if you are in the middle of exams!). Before applying for eligibility it may be sufficient for you to just read this e- Guide, but after graduating you will have time to look at the relevant websites in more detail, Inshalla Allah Familiarise yourself with the Foundation Programme and GMC website. They are not the easiest websites but it is important that you read all the relevant information before you complete the online application form (especially the 2012 FP handbook!) The GMC website and emails can be very discouraging sometimes (e.g. “The job market in the UK is very competitive and you should think very carefully about whether you are willing to take the risks involved in competing for posts.” They also ask you to cancel your PLAB 2 booking before its too late! Don’t worry about this. If Allah has written rizq for you in the UK no one can stop you getting it! The foundation Programme makes it easier to secure a job for 2 years. However do not worry if you don’t get accepted to the FP. Once you receive GMC registration you can apply directly to vacancies (these are usually advertised online on websites such as www.jobs.nhs.uk and BMJ careers)

23. References Modernising Medical Careers www.mmc.nhs.uk You can find information on this website regarding: Role of the MMC Speciality training Careers advice NHS employers www.nhsemployers.org There is a pdf document that you can download from this website which is written for IMGs. You can find detailed information about the Life in the UK, NHS, Immigration rules etc To find the document, open the website and search for: Working and training in the National Health Service. Click on the link and the pdf should open in a new window General Medical Council  www.gmc-uk.org  You can find information on this website regarding PLAB guidance, dates and results IELTS Good Medical Practice Foundation Programme www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk Please download and carefully read the FP2012 Applicants Handbook All forms required for FP 2012 Eligibility can be downloaded from the ‘Key Documents’ section Please note: information regarding the academic Foundation Programme is not covered in this e-Guide, but is available on the website

24. References For more information about the Ter-2 Sponsorship: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ tier2/general// www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ tier2/general// For applying for visa: http://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/iapply.po rtal http://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/iapply.po rtal How to apply for visa: Click on “Form Finder”. Enter the details which apply to the type of visa you wish to apply for. It’s user friendly and easy to use, just type the details which apply best for you (whether the aim of your visit is the PLABs or for Work). Visa Application Fees: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapp ly/visafees