The person specification for Specialty Training for General Practice includes

Possession of Foundation Competence is essential for successful applicants to cope with and proceed successfully through GP Specialty training. It is crucial that this is evidence of current competence rather than historical evidence, as any competency must be sustained to be useful, and to act as a firm foundation for GP Specialty training. It is not sufficient to have achieved each competency once. Competencies must be achieved, maintained and demonstrated.

The acceptable methods for demonstrating Foundation Competency are based upon our experience of previous applicants. This experience has shown other evidence submitted by candidates to be insufficient. For example, qualifications in specific other specialties do not demonstrate the breadth of Foundation Competences and such candidates are not typically readily able to cope with GP Specialty training. Some candidates have achieved competency across the spectrum once but since that time focused their career in a small area. The breadth of the competences must be confirmed as demonstrated to be capable of entering GP Specialty training.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to satisfactorily demonstrate that this criterion has been fulfilled
 

There are a number of ways you can demonstrate your achievement of foundation competency. The application form will ask you a series of questions to help you determine the most appropriate form of evidence. Your answers to these questions will also allow us to assess your eligibility to apply for a GP specialty training programme and you will be expected to provide standardised documentation to verify your answers.

This guidance is provided to help you begin to prepare your 2009 GP application.

• If you are currently undertaking a foundation programme in the UK, we will ask you to confirm the name of your Foundation School. Any offer of a programme will be conditional upon you successfully completing this programme and being awarded an FACD 5.2 before August 2009.

• If you have undertaken a UK foundation programme within the last 3 years – ie. since 2^nd August 2006, we will ask you to confirm that you have been awarded an FACD 5.2. You will be able to attach a scanned copy to your application or you will be asked to send a copy to your first choice deanery. You will be expected to provide the original certificate when you attend Selection Centre.

• If you have not undertaken a UK foundation programme within the last 3 years – ie. since 2^nd August 2006, then evidence of satisfactory completion of 12 months SHO, ST, or FTSTA posts since August 2006 will also be accepted provided it relates to a post with acute medical responsibilities (see below). In this case you will be expected to provide VTR2 forms, RITA C certificates or a satisfactory ARCP panel outcome. You may attach scanned copies to your application form or you will be asked to post a copy to your first choice deanery. Originals MUST be provided when you attend Selection Centre. If you are unable to provide the required documentation because you have only recently started an ST or FTSTA post, then you should submit an "Alternative Certificate" which is available for download below.

• If none of the above applies, or if you are unable to provide the evidence required for any of the above, you will be able to submit alternative evidence by asking someone who has supervised you for at least 3 months since 2^nd August 2006 to attest to your achievement of foundation competency. There are two "Alternative Certificates" available for download; one for specialties with acute medical responsibilities and one for specialties without acute medical responsibilities. You will need to submit the appropriate certificate to the NRO for assessment once you have submitted your application. Alternative certificates must be submitted no later than 26^th January 2007.

• If you are unable to provide any of the above because, for example, you have not worked since 2^nd August 2006 then you are advised to secure a second year UK foundation programme post before applying for a GP specialty training programme. Alternatively, you could secure a post that will enable you to demonstrate foundation competency to someone who could then provide you with an "Alternative Certificate", eg. A locum or Trust post or FTSTA post.

• We understand that Refugee doctors may have less access to standardised documentation and in some cases may not be able to obtain an "Alternative Certificate". If you are unable to provide any of the above because of your Refugee status, you should contact your first choice postgraduate deanery for advice before submitting your application. Refugee doctors should provide an Alternative Certificate wherever possible.