Turbulent times: how the transformed foundation allocation process and 'placeholder' jobs affected new doctors

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By Ellie Philpotts

As graduate doctors encountered a new system for allocating foundation school places this year, some also had to contend with ‘placeholder’ posts that meant they wouldn’t find out their job location until just before they started. Ellie Philpotts reflects on an uncertain time for many new doctors.

This year, the UK Foundation Programme (UKFP), which allocates thousands of medical graduates to foundation programme places (FY1) across the UK annually, changed how doctors are given their placements.