Havering’s healthcare services to receive extra funding to recruit GPs from abroad
A GP checking a patient's blood pressure. Photo: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/PA Images - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
The borough’s healthcare services have received a grant to help fund the recruitment of more GPs from overseas.
Havering Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has secured a share of over £1.2 million funding from NHS England to recruit GPs from abroad.
The local scheme will recruit around 35 GPs to Havering and four other CCGs with GP staffing levels below London and national averages.
It is hoped that the recruitment drive will help improve patient access to primary care services in what is one of the most challenged areas of north east London.
The funding has been provided as part of NHS England’s international GP recruitment scheme, which is designed to attract at least 2,000 appropriately trained and qualified GPs from overseas over the next three years.
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Following a number of regional pilots, the north east London scheme is one of 11 areas to receive funding in this second phase of the programme.
Recruitment will target GPs who have qualified in the European Economic Area (EEA) and UK citizens returning from overseas.
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Systems are in place to ensure that all doctors recruited deliver safe, high quality care, including good English language skills.
There are also plans to provide ongoing support and development for the new GPs, to provide a smooth transition and help retain them in the north east London area.
Dr Atul Aggarwal, chairman of Havering CCG, said: “We are delighted to be receiving funding for the international GP recruitment scheme, one of a range of initiatives that will, in time, help us improve access to GP services for our local people.
“Working as a GP in Havering can be hugely rewarding and we look forward to welcoming more highly trained overseas GPs to the borough.
“While we continue to work to recruit GPs both locally and nationally, this programme will give us an extra boost.”
