Guidance for recruitment scheme for returning GPs published
May 31 2016
Details on how relocation allowances and education bursaries can be used to help recruit doctors returning to general practice have been published.
The pilot scheme is intended to help practices that have historically encountered difficulty in recruiting GPs, with vacancies lasting more than 12 months. Under the scheme, designated practices will be able to access:
- up to £8,000 in relocation allowances for GPs;
- up to £2,000 in an education bursary;
- recruitment and marketing assistance to support practices;
- up to £2,000 locum cover for when the new GP is undertaking educational sessions.
NHS Commissioning has now posted online its guidance on the Targeted Investment in Recruiting Returning Doctors Scheme, which commenced this May. Potential candidates include:
- doctors who wish to return to practice either via the Induction and Refresher Scheme or otherwise;
- doctors who are currently on a retained doctors scheme who are interested in applying for a non-retained doctor GP position in a targeted practice;
- GP practices who believe that they should be designated as a target practice.
“The GP must be prepared to relocate to work in a practice identified by NHS England as one which has historically struggled to recruit GPs. The practice must be in excess of one hour’s normal travel from their previous home/work base (usually in excess of 50 miles). Time and distance will be calculated using the AA route planner,” says the guidance.
“Individual GPs will only be able to receive the resources once and will be required to stay with their recruiting GP practice for a minimum of three years. Individual practices will only be able to access the relocation and educational bursary element once”
Links:
NHS Commissioning ‘Targeted Investment in Recruiting Returning Doctors Scheme’
‘Targeted investment in recruiting returning doctors pilot for 2016’ guidance