New NHS campaign pushes Induction and Refresher recruitment scheme

As reported by The Express, a new advertising campaign aimed at pushing the Induction and Refresher scheme hopes to bring more GPs out of retirement

A new advertising campaign aims to coax retired GPs back into the workforce in a bid to boost numbers.

The Induction and Refresher scheme has already brought nearly 800 GPs back into works after breaks or from overseas.

So far, 279 have rejoined the workforce. A media campaign including brochures, social media and print advertising hopes to attract many more.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), commented: “Increasing GP numbers in the NHS will be vital to deliver the aspirations of the NHS Long Term Plan, in the best interests of patients.

“The Induction and Refresher scheme has demonstrated positive results so far – and it’s great that so many appropriately trained doctors want to work in UK general practice. We now need to build on this success.”

The RCGP has estimated that at least 6,000 more GPs are needed in England. The issue is hitting crisis point, as recent research revealed that over 40% of family doctors plan to leave the profession within five years.

On a positive note, Dr Nikita Kanani, NHS England acting medical director for primary care, said the Induction and Refresher scheme has already achieved more than half its recruitment target.

“General practice is the bedrock of the health service,” she said.

“We understand the pressures GPs are under, and have invested an extra £978million in core general practice funding by 2023-24 as part of the GP Contract, together with a pledge to recruit more than 20,000 healthcare workers to support family doctors over the next five years.

“It makes sense to raise the profile of a scheme that we know works and allows colleagues to return to practice safely and confidently.”

Health minister, Steve Brine, added: “GPs are the bedrock of the NHS and primary care is at the forefront of our NHS Long Term Plan, with an extra £4.5bn going to the sector.

“This investment shows our commitment to general practice and so we want to make it quicker and easier for former GPs to return to the profession, confident they will have the support and funding they need, so patients can benefit from their wealth of experience.

“Alongside this we are recruiting record numbers into GP training while also looking at how we provide more support to encourage staff to stay within general practice.”

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