This page is for people who are taking part in the enhance explore foundation priority programme. If you are looking for the self-guided enhance enable programme, please click here.
Welcome to enhance Explore! This webpage is our handbook for the programme, and it explains everything you need to know. We will also be holding and online introductory event in August 2025, and you will receive an email about when you start your post. If you have any further questions, please speak to your Foundation TPD.
Contents
What is the difference between enhance explore and enhance enable?
How is my foundation programme different to everyone else’s?
I don’t know where to start with the self-guided modules! Where can I get help?
Is there a timeline for what I need to do?
Will I have to do any extra assessments?
Does enhance count towards my job applications after F2?
What if I have a question about enhance explore that is not answered by this webpage?
I am an educator at a trust with enhance explore doctors. Where can I find out more?
What is enhance?
NHS England’s enhance programme is a postgraduate medical education offering available to everyone who works for the health service in England. It will support you to develop attitudes, skills and behaviours that will be beneficial to your clinical work and specialty job applications. It will give you practical skills to help you to become a better doctor.
To understand more about the programme and its content, please visit our main webpage here.
What is the difference between enhance explore and enhance enable?
Enhance enable is a self-guided programme that anyone can undertake in their self development time.
Enhance explore is a more in-depth version of this programme. As well as completing the workbooks, you will have one placement with an explore focus, in-person teaching days and access to courses delivered by Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
How is my foundation programme different to everyone else’s?
Enhance Explore doctors will still complete the foundation programme as normal. However, you will also be offered some extra opportunities on top of this.
Enhance placement
Each Explore doctor will have a minimum of one placement that has an enhance focus, such as public health or community care. These will give you the chance to get an insight into work outside of a specialist secondary care setting.
Self guided modules
Enhance Explore doctors should complete the six self-guided enhance modules during their foundation training. Each module should take approximately six hours to complete. Some of this will from relevant foundation teaching, and the rest from your self development time. We recommend that you do the first three modules in F1 and the final three in F2.
The enhance programme is mapped to the foundation curriculum, so any work you do will help you towards your ARCP sign off.
Regional teaching days
In addition to the self-guided modules, you will also have six mandatory in-person teaching days (three in F1 and three in F2.) All the F1 days will be held at York House in Horley. The dates for this academic year are:
- Module one: 25/09/2025
- Module two: 05/02/2025
- Module three: 13/05/2025
Each teaching day corresponds with a module. They are made up of a combination of live speakers and pre-recorded lectures, with plenty of group work and discussions. You will also have the opportunity to meet other Explore doctors from across the region at each session.
These sessions are compulsory for completion of the programme, and you should not take annual leave on these dates. You will be given professional leave for each session by your trust, so you do not need to use study or annual leave to attend. If you are having any issues with attending these dates, please contact your trust foundation programme director as soon as possible.
I don’t know where to start with the self-guided modules! Where can I get help?
A variety of work can be used towards these modules. This video explains everything you need to know.
Some of your regular trust foundation teaching can count towards enhance. For instance, a session on polypharmacy and frailty would be perfect for the complex multimorbidity module. You can also use all sorts of resources during your SDT. This doesn’t just need to be eLearning. It could be relevant TEDx talks, podcasts, Youtube videos or books. Each enhance module has a webpage with lots of resources on it. You can find them here: module one, module two, module three, module four, module five, module six.
You can also use shadowing opportunities on your ward. This doesn’t mean taking a whole day out. You could follow the physiotherapist or speech language therapist for one patient assessment then reflect upon your experience afterwards. This is also a perfect time to discuss the patient’s experience and help you understand their perspective more.
Is there a timeline for what I need to do?
The diagram below shows you when you should complete each module by.
Foundation Year One
Foundation Year Two
Will I have to do any extra assessments?
There are no exams or tests as part of enhance Explore. The programme is deliberately broad to allow you to look at areas that interest you and choose your own path through each module.
In order to complete a module, you need to complete a small amount of paperwork. This will be uploaded to your Horus ePortfolio and reviewed by your educational supervisor. Please read our sign off webpage here for more information about these forms and how to complete them.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. Once you have completed each module, your foundation coordinator will provide a certificate. Once you have completed all six modules, you will receive and overall certificate too.
Does enhance count towards my job applications after F2?
For many programmes, the leadership module can be used to gain points. Enhance is also an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons and understand how to be an effective doctor in the modern NHS. This will give you plenty to talk about at interviews that will set you apart from other candidates.
What if I have a question about enhance explore that is not answered by this webpage?
Please get in touch with your foundation programme coordinator initially. If they cannot assist you, they can put you in touch with our team.
I am an educator at a trust with enhance explore doctors. Where can I find out more?
The SOP for enhance explore can be found here:
Guidance on sign off can be found here.
Guidance for managers can be found here.
Guidance for teachers and trainers can be found here.