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I passed the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board's exam in January 2004 and have since done clinical attachments: a month in four specialties. I would like to become a GP. I took four years out to bring up children. I am still looking for a job in the NHS. Which foundation year should I apply for?

Authors: Rodger Charlton 

Publication date:  18 Aug 2007

First, I think you would need to check your registration status with the General Medical Council (www.gmc-uk.org) and find out whether or not you are eligible for full or provisional registration. If you are eligible for full registration you may be able to enter the second foundation year of training and so the equivalent of a senior house officer post. In relation to your clinical attachments and whether any of these would count towards vocational training in general practice, you will need to contact the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (www.pmetb.org.uk) which is the independent statutory body and can advise you about this.

If you are an international medical graduate, new visa regulations have been introduced and you would need to establish if they apply to you. There are two excellent articles on the subject in Career Focus, which can be found by searching www.careerfocus.bmj.com.

The two articles are:

Koshy Eapen and Jajini Varghese. New visa regulations—the IMG perspective. BMJ Careers June 2006;332:219-20. http://careerfocus.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7553/219-a.

Shah Alam Khan. New visa regulations for IMGs are a blessing in disguise. BMJ Careers August 2006;333:66. http://careerfocus.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7563/66.

Regarding training for general practice, things have changed recently with the introduction of Modernising Medical Careers. I think you would find the website helpful (www.mmc.nhs.uk).

Finally, with regard to foundation year training, it is important to contact the postgraduate medical education deanery that is closest to where you live for further advice; details of deanery websites may be found through www.copmed.org.uk/contacts.

COVER: MIKE SHANNON/FOTOLIA

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Rodger Charlton GP and senior lecturer Self-employed and Warwick University