Specialty Tasters
A Specialty taster is a period of time, up to five days, spent in a specialty in which the foundation doctor has not previously worked. Its purpose is to enable the development of insight into the work and ‘lifestyle’ of the specialty and promote careers reflection.
Tasters are primarily for foundation doctors wishing to experience a specialty not in their Foundation Programme. Please note that taster days should where possible be taken within your employing trust unless the chosen specialty is not provided by your trust.
- Any requests for taster days away from your employing trust will require approval by both your home trust and the trust with which you want to undertake the tasters.
- If your trust does not offer the desired specialty, the taster must be arranged at another hospital within the Peninsula footprint where possible. Head of School sign off may be required.
The UKFPO has published guidance aimed at supporting the development of high-quality tasters for Foundation Doctors. There are already many examples of good practice in this area and this document aims to support all Foundation Programmes in developing career exploration for their foundation doctors. UKFPO Guidance on the provision of tasters for foundation doctors
- Please note that applications for tasters should be made in accordance with the local trust policy for applying for study leave. Please also see the STUDY LEAVE GUIDANCE (insert link to new Study leave Guidance) for further information on Tasters. F1s may use 5 days study leave of their F2 allowance in F1 for tasters.
Tasters in General Practice
Please click here (insert link to new Tasters in GP page) for a list of practices across Devon and Cornwall which are available for Foundation Doctors to complete a taster.
Tasters in Psychiatry
Please contact your local Post Graduate Education Centre for information on available Psychiatry Tasters.
Trust Contacts
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NORTH DEVON) | Joanna Lacy | j.lacy1@nhs.net |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust | Matthew Metherell | matthew.metherell@nhs.net |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (EXETER) | Helen Darke | h.darke@nhs.net |
| Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | Mandy Turner | amanda.turner1@nhs.net |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | Tanmayee Rajguru | plh-tr.pgmcfoundation@nhs.net |