Foundation Doctors Representatives

The role of the doctor representative is to:

• Support each board/committee in ensuring high quality training for all trainees through constructively feeding in the trainee voice to its processes
• Act as a leader representing other Foundation doctors
• Seek, collate and report opinions of their cohort of doctors in training
• Encourage open and honest feedback from Foundation doctors on their training experiences
• Prepare for meetings by reading the minutes and agenda
• Assist in effective communication with other Foundation doctors
• Represent the issues discussed at committees to other Foundation doctors, including encouraging actions and raising further discussion, this requires the dissemination of information and outcomes of committee discussions
• Make suggestions for improvement of training and the best ways to communicate with fellow Foundation doctors
• Act as a point of contact for Foundation doctors seeking information relating to training and education matters, particularly those who are new to the training programme
• Disseminate information and outcomes of the Training Committee meetings to all Foundation doctor colleagues
• Liaise with any national specialty groups, feeding back to the committee as and if required
• Attend at least 75% of the committee meetings, getting approval for this from the relevant FPD
• Act as a champion for equality and diversity, aiming to ensure that the particular challenges of trainees with protected characteristics are represented and heard

Expectation of the Foundation doctors representative:

In accepting a role on the committee, the Foundation doctor representative is committing to providing a balanced perspective of the view of the trainee body and not exclusively their own perspective. There is no one right way to do this but it is expected that the trainee will seek views beyond their current place of work and region.

Methods of engagement could include but are not limited to:

• Emailing other Foundation doctors prior to meetings
• Peer group WhatsApp groups
• Creating a network of representatives from each region to feed information to you
• Seeking out information at regional or specialty specific meetings

The Foundation doctors representative will be expected to liaise regularly with their peers to determine issues which need to be added to future committee agendas for discussion.

Key Skills Required:

• A good knowledge of foundation training and postgraduate medical education
• The ability to communicate effectively, seek opinions to inform feedback
• To actively contribute at meetings where senior personnel are in attendance
• An interest in contributing to the improvement and development of educational opportunities and the training programme
• Well-developed organisational skills
• Be approachable and supportive of trainee views
• Commitment to attend meetings

Essential criteria for doctor in training representative role:

• Must be able to serve at least 12 months in the Foundation doctor representative role
• Must fulfil any requirements set by the committee when seeking a representative (such as specific level of training, geography, experience etc.)
• Must be progressing satisfactorily in training
• Must have confirmation from the Foundation Programme Director that taking on the role will not adversely impact capacity to achieve curriculum requirements for future progression
• Must not have any conflict of interest which would impede ability to fulfil the requirements of the role

Benefits to the Foundation doctor representative:

Being a Foundation doctor representative provides the opportunity to impact the work of the Foundation School and the Scotland Deanery to the benefit of the individual and to develop their own leadership and teamworking skills.

Foundation doctors may also (depending on the role of the committee) have the opportunity to:

• Develop policy and guidance
• Contribute to working groups to enact policy
• Canvas other Foundation doctors views more formally using surveys
• Contribute to workshops, training days etc
• Attend and participate in other activities (i.e. Appeal panels, recruitment/careers fairs)

Role of the Scotland Deanery: 

• Give adequate notice of the agenda so that the Foundation doctor representative has time to seek the views from peers
• To be open to the views of Foundation doctors, even those that differ from current policy
• Provide the Foundation doctor with constructive feedback and opportunities to develop their skills and broaden their interests
• Provide Foundation doctor representatives with appropriate induction and training to the role and ensure Equality & Diversity training is provided if this cannot be demonstrated as part of completion of mandatory training within the workplace

Scotland Deanery Appointment of Foundation doctor representative - Equity Statement

The Deanery values diversity and promotes inclusivity. Appointments will be made in keeping with our commitment to promote equity and diversity in that there will be equal opportunities and that there should be no discrimination on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.

The Deanery expects all those appointed to representative roles to articulate the views of all fellow trainees in scope, and in particular to promote and champion the voice of those from under-represented or marginalised groups. These groups will include (but are not limited to) Foundation doctors from ethnic minorities, international medical graduates, Foundation doctors with disabilities and LGBT+ Foundation doctors.

The Deanery is fully committed to making the appointment process accessible at all stages for any applicants with a disability or other specific requirements. This may include providing information in an alternative format or making adjustments to the appointment process.