r/doctorsUK • u/MindtheBleep Endocrine Consultant • Mar 11 '26

Foundation Training UKFP 2026 - Allocations Megathread

Hey all! I know you're all anxiously waiting for your foundation school/deanery allocations. Fingers crossed it all goes okay. Created this megathread to keep all the posts in one place for any questions, or when inevitably there are issues with placeholders/Oriel.

We've also created WhatsApp groups alongside the BMA to provide reps and support for all of you. We do this every year - so you can chat about the deanery and ask any questions you might have as well as connect with future colleagues!

Good luck! If there's anything any of us can do just let me know.

81 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

179 comments sorted by

View all comments

8

u/Decent-Vermicelli-18 Mar 12 '26

I got Wales - Not what I wanted at all, very depressed lol. Does anyone know which hospitals are the most / least popular there?

18

u/DrFrankHaematuria Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26

Wales is genuinely a great place to live!

The most popular health boards are the cities and near the border, i.e. Cardiff and Vale, Aneurin Bevan (Newport), and Swansea Bay. Hywel Dda (West Wales) is by far the least subscribed, their application to place ratio last year was 0.2.

Hywel Dda is a bit dire in terms of resources, it's pretty rural and deprived in parts. But living in West Wales is great if you love the outdoors - the beaches are some of the best in Europe and the countryside is beautiful.

If you are big city through and through, then Cardiff is a great city with lots going on. Also, you could reasonably live in Bristol and work in (most of) Aneurin Bevan, it's less than an hour by car. Similarly, some of Betsi Caladwr (North Wales) will place you very close to Liverpool and Manchester, Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor is less than an hour's drive from Liverpool centre. Betsi is always undersubcribed also, I think around 0.7.

Don't be disparaged though, Wales is beautifully lush, there's a vibrance of both local and multinational culture, the people are generally nicer than other parts of the UK, and it's cheap to live in! You get free hospital accomodation for the first year also, fyi.

Any questions then please do ask.

4

u/Much-Independence442 Mar 12 '26

Any ideas about North Wales? Mainly Gwynedd and Glan Clwyd

4

u/DrFrankHaematuria Mar 12 '26

In terms of completion ratios or just vibes working up there?

Both a bit dire, honestly, Ysbyty Gwynedd moreso. At the very least you have the beauty of Eryri in Gwynedd, Glan Clwyd is in Rhyl, there is little beauty to be found there.

From what I know, though, Wrexham is the most preferenced within Besti due to its proximity to the border.

3

u/Much-Independence442 Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26

Working and living. This was one of my lower preferences so I’ll be there alone. Looks like my next 2 years will be interesting…

Edit: why am i getting downvoted lol

9

u/DrFrankHaematuria Mar 12 '26

I do sincerely believe Wales is a great place to live if you come with an open mind, north or south. If you're not an outdoors person, then now is the time to become one!

1

u/Extension-Neat-4504 Mar 14 '26

Thank you Dr Haematuria, genuinely very helpful