Gateways guidance: 15.6 Provisions of the UK Foundation Programme Reference Guide; and of the 'Gold Guide'

The Foundation Programme Reference Guide published in March 2010 sets out a process for the Transfer of Information (TOI) as a means of supporting medical students as they move from medical school to Foundation School (paragraphs 8.37 to 8.47). The Reference Guide also sets out guidance for Foundation doctors wishing to train flexibly, one of the main reasons for which is a disability, where the doctor needs individual arrangements.

The Guide to Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK¹¹ (known as the ‘Gold Guide’) endorses anti-discriminatory practice in recruitment (paragraph 6.1) and sets out the special eligibility of disabled trainees in relation to placement (paragraph 2.18):

1. ‘In placing trainees, Postgraduate Deans or their representatives must take into account the needs of trainees with specific health needs or disabilities. Employers must make reasonable adjustments if disabled trainees require these. The need to do so should not be a reason for not offering an otherwise suitable placement to a trainee.’

In relation to flexible training (paragraph 6.77), and transfers between postgraduate deaneries (paragraph 6.119), priority will be given to trainees with:

• disability
• ill health
• responsibility for caring for children
• responsibility for caring for an ill or disabled partner, relative or other dependant.