Neurosurgery as a first foundation year training post

Neurosurgery has traditionally been regarded as a surgical speciality unsuitable for doctors in their first clinical year after graduation with limited prior experience of such patients. However, the advent of UK Modernising Medical Careers' Foundation Year training and the European Working Time Directive mean neurosurgery is now available as a clinical placement for newly qualified doctors. The authors describe the development of such a post, first implemented in August 2008, which both facilitated safe and effective care of neurosurgical patients and enabled the trainee to achieve many of the goals of UK Foundation training. Suggestions are made for the implementation of further similar posts.