This is the last year that the Thames Valley Foundation School will be offering a Swap Shop in Foundation year 2 (F2) rotations.
Under this policy, FY1 Doctors appointed in August 2026 will be able to swap a whole F2 rotation with another Foundation Doctor, subject to certain guidelines,
Principles
- Applications to swap need to be approved centrally, you may apply but this does not guarantee your application will be successful.
- The swap is only available to Foundation Year 1 doctors appointed in August 2026 and based within the Thames Valley Foundation School.
- Swaps in F1 – no swaps will be allowed within the F1 programmes.
- Individual placements cannot be swapped – only an entire F2 rotation.
- The onus is on the foundation doctor to find a willing swap partner.
- Thames Valley Foundation doctors must not end up with 2 community placements as a result of a swap.
- Swaps can only be between 2 Foundation doctors.
- The agreed swap must be educationally balanced, (over the whole 2 years) and approved by the Foundation School.
- The foundation doctor(s) will have to demonstrate that they are making satisfactory progress in their training and that their e-portfolio is up to date.
- The request must be supported by the Educational Supervisor and Foundation Training Programme Director, during the F1 year (this may involve two Trusts and two Foundation Training Programme Director if a cross-Trust swap is requested, and both Foundation training Programme Directors must give approval)
- Only one swap within the 2 year foundation programme will be considered or allowed per trainee – multiple applications will not be accepted.
Applications open date to be confirmed
Please read, complete and submit the application form and guidance by the deadline of TBC to england.foundation.tv@nhs.net