Foundation Training

Foundations that tower above all the rest

"Starting a job as one of the new FY2s can be very daunting. The team at Oxford made the transition much easier with a very comprehensive induction programme. Troubleshooting EVDs and changing valve settings are taught in detail before starting the job. You will also have junior clinical fellows, many of whom have prior neurosurgery experience and are more than happy to help out.
Whilst it can be intimidating having to manage on-calls with conditions that may not be familiar to you, the neurosurgery registrar team have always been extremely helpful. At the end of the 4 months I had become much more comfortable dealing with acute issues, with the knowledge that I had senior support available whenever I needed it.
It is a big step up from being an FY1 but the team made that transition as smooth as possible. You will also get plenty of protected teaching time to allow you to make your foundation programme requirements. The excellent getting into neurosurgery (GiN) course is run by the neurosurgery registrars and has an incredible track record at getting people into neurosurgery training so this is an excellent place to be if you are interested in neurosurgery. I hope you enjoy your time here and make the most out of your four months."

Naveen, FY2 Neurosurgery

FY2s practicing their skills

Foundation Programme

Oxford Neurosurgery is part of Health Education Thames Valley (HETV).

The Department of Neurosurgery trains Foundation Doctors in their FY2 year. This consists of a 4-month Senior House Officer (SHO) post in the department. Our FY2s will be trained in the perioperative care of neurosurgical patients, ward-based neurosurgical procedures (e.g. accessing CSF devices, lumbar punctures) and may wish to partake in theatre sessions. Applications are made centrally via the UK National Foundation Programme.

Objectives


An FY2 in neurosurgery will achieve the basic competencies as outlined by the foundation school. Neurosurgery is harder work than many foundation jobs, but because of this you will be exposed to a wide range of knowledge and skills including radiology, care of the critically ill patient, procedures, basic operations, and an excellent grounding in neuroscience knowledge.


Knowledge Objectives

  • Basic neurosciences.

  • Perioperative care.

  • Management of sick, deteriorating, or poly-injured patients.

  • Ethics and law.


Skill Objectives

  • Suturing.

  • Managing a range of CSF devices.

  • Lumbar puncture.

  • Exposure to basic surgery.


Long term career objectives

  • This is an opportunity for Thames Valley Foundation Trainees to try out neurosurgery.

  • This is a huge advantage compared to many deaneries which have reduced their foundation doctor numbers and replaced them with ANPs or PAs.

  • Regardless of what you want to do, time spent with us can be useful to a wide range of future careers including critical care, ED, neurology, paediatrics, surgery, radiology, and many more.

  • If you do decide you want to do neurosurgery then we are here to support you, and we are always keen to convert excellent FY2s into JCFs and perhaps future trainee neurosurgeons.