The Foundation Programme is a structured two-year training programme for trainee doctors who have just graduated from medical school.  The General Medical Council (GMC) influences and shapes this training through NHSE Northwest who work with local NHS Trusts to deliver their individual educational programmes. 

At Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, we combine curriculum-mapped teaching with hands-on clinical experience, with our Foundation Trainees responsible for caring for patients under the supervision of more experienced doctors and other healthcare professionals. 

The Trust offers 45 Foundation Year 1 posts and 45 year 2 posts, divided between 15 Tracks offering trainees a wide and varying experience in all aspects of medicine, including a four-month rotation in General Practice in Foundation Year 2.

The Foundation Programme Team at Blackpool Consists of:  

  • Dr Chris Till – Foundation Programme Director – Year 2 

  • Dr Marium Khan – Foundation Programme Director – Year 1  

  • Trish Broadhead – Foundation Programme Administrator 

  • Anne-Marie Walker – Clinical Skills Facilitator with responsibility for the Foundation Teaching Programme

Foundation Priority Programme

One Foundation Post is offered as a priority for medical graduates who know they want to do their Foundation Programme at Blackpool. This post has extra support for career development and also support to obtain a PG Certificate in Medical Education.  

There are currently 2 tracks at Blackpool which are enhanced foundation tracks. These are Track 13 and track 14. They give you the opportunity to see more of the patient journey by spending time with community-based teams such as Sexual health, alcohol & addiction services, CAMHS, Alcohol Liaison, Public Health and Physiotherapy.

As part of your foundation placements you spend time with these organisations to enhance your skills and knowledge as a doctor, giving you the tools needed to treat patients with a more holistic approach, and allowing for better cross services working in healthcare.

Find out more about the Foundation Enhanced Programme here: enhance for the Foundation Programme | NHS England | Workforce, training and education

We have so much to offer at Blackpool, including the following: 

The Facilities 

  • Purpose built Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre 

  • Dedicated training team 

  • NHSE NW accredited customised simulated based medical education unit 

  • Two “mock” clinical areas, with observation rooms 

  • Full range of remote-controlled simulation manikins. 

  • Purpose built Medical Education Centre 

  • Quality accredited library available 24/7 for access to education and evidence-based resources 

  • Meeting rooms and lecture theatre for trainee use 

  • Onsite training courses – BLS, PILS, ILS, NLS & more!

  • Clinical meetings, MDTs and weekly Grand Rounds 

  • Equipped teaching rooms on wards and departments