Advice on getting into London hospitals foundation FY1/FY2 programmes

Nope, none of those things will help any more, it's now all random. Still worth getting involved with publications etc. though as they they will help later on in training (for now, anyways...)

thanks for your response. I probably should read more into the new system. when you say 'all random', does that mean that some more lower scoring students can still end up in london's main busiest hospitals? I would have assumed given the competitive nature and perhaps more stressful environment in London it would mean those scoring higher and with more qualifications to show are better off. sorry if this sounds ignorant, I understand a pass is a pass nonetheless, just genuinely curious as to how this works.

Yes, it does. There will no longer be scoring of any kind based on performance or SJT results. You just rank your choices and hold your fingers crossed that the computer algorithm will give you one of your higher choices.