Shadowing is a mandatory time in the hospital/ward/health care setting where you will start your Foundation Year 1 post. You will attend the ward at the time designated by your employing Health Board and will shadow the current F1s. This will allow you to understand the ward processes and learn about the patients.

The objectives of shadowing are:

• Learn the ward layout, where you will find cannulas, blood bottles etc
• Receive training and logins for the IT systems for referrals, note keeping, prescribing, radiology, test ordering etc
• Undertake mandatory Health Board employee training
• Learn about the ward rounds, the structure and timings and how the 'to do list' is generated and maintained
• Understand the handover processes
• Find the catering facilities, coffee rooms, toilets etc
• Meet the nursing and AHP teams
• Meet the current inpatients for a smooth handover on the start date
• Meet your new F1 colleagues and senior medical colleagues

Your shadowing activity period may include day shift/late shift/night shift

YES - Shadowing is mandatory

Please do not make any arrangements to take leave during this time as you will require IT training and mandatory Health Board induction

If you are going to be absent for any reason you MUST inform your employer and request leave

Please note this will be disadvantageous to your start and is not acceptable unless for unavoidable situations

YES - You will be paid for attending mandatory Shadowing and induction.

You must contact your supervisor/Medical Education Department/Employing Health Board HR Department

If you have any questions about Shadowing, please contact your Employing Health Board HR Department and your supervisor

There are 3 elements to mandatory shadowing and Induction:

1. NHS Board employee induction
2. NES Foundation Training Programme Induction  - delivered regionally
3. Induction to your first post local workplace environment e.g. wards