South Thames Foundation School

2-YEAR ACADEMIC FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES AT BRIGHTON & SUSSEX MEDICAL SCHOOL (BSMS)

1. INTRODUCTION

There are currently twelve two-year F1:F2 places on the academic training programme.  As far as possible, trainees will be appointed onto a speciality-based programme that is one of their top 5 choices.

2. DETAILS OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Both the F1 and F2 posts are based within BSUH but may be either at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton or at Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.  The F1 year consists of 3 four-month clinical placements. 

The F2 year comprises a 4-month specialty-based clinical placement (either in GUM, General Practice, Infectious Diseases or Public Health), a 4-month high-quality dedicated academic placement and a 4 month attachment in General Medicine, Acute Medicine or Surgery to enable the acquisition of core competencies.

In addition, trainees will have the opportunity to complete the Research Methods and Critical Appraisal module organized by the University of Brighton. 

3. THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AND PARTNER TRUSTS

Brighton and Sussex Medical School is committed to providing first class undergraduate and postgraduate training which links clinical medicine to basic science and research. Strong, internationally recognised research groups have been established in the fields of infectious diseases, immunity, international health, neuromuscular biology, oncology and primary care.

Teaching within the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine (IPGM) focuses on primary care, public health, clinical specialties, psychiatry and community health, leadership and professional development, and medical education. Research expertise within IPGM embraces cardiology, psychiatry, public health, general practice and aspects of health informatics.

The Medical School has state-of-the-art clinical teaching facilities in the Audrey Emerton building, the education centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and the education centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. There are three teaching and research buildings at the Universities’ adjacent sites at Falmer, including a Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre incorporating state-of-the-art fMRI and PET-CT instruments. In addition there is a 10 bed purpose-built Clinical Investigation and Research Unit on the Royal Sussex County site.

The research programme of the School is growing rapidly. It is focused around major themes that include neuroscience, oncology, and infection and inflammation. Within these we have particular strengths in elderly care medicine, primary care and epidemiology and in imaging. There is a joint Research Office that handles NHS R&D contracts and strong links between BSMS research faculty and NHS colleagues.