NHS hits GP recruitment target early, claims government

The government claimed that the NHS has hit its GP recruitment target three months ahead of schedule, according to figures published today.

GP numbers have increased by 2,131 since 1999, exceeding the NHS Plan target for 2,000 more GPs by March 2004, the government reported. There are now 30,598 GPs working in the NHS.

Today's figures, published in a mini-census of NHS GPs and consultants in December, also showed that the number of consultants has increased. There are now 29,217 consultants working in the NHS, up from 23,321 in 1999.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "These figures are good news, but we are determined to do more."

Mr Reid said he was delighted with the GP figures but disappointed that the number of consultants are not on track for end of March target.

"We will recruit more consultants as we promised in the NHS Plan, but it may take a little longer than expected," said Mr Reid.

Recruitment initiatives for GPs have included the Golden Hello scheme which offers up to £5,000 to GPs taking up their first substantive post, those returning from the GP Retainer scheme and those who are returning to general practice following a career break.

Up to a further £7,000 is available to those who take up posts in areas classified as under-doctored for the purposes of the scheme. At least 3,888 GPs have received a golden hello payment, 2,003 (51.5%) of which were GPs taking up a post in an area classified as under-doctored.

The GP Returner campaign was also launched in November 2002 to encourage locums and other qualified GPs not currently working in general practice to return to take up a substantive post.

So far over 1,200 GPs have applied to join the Flexible Careers and Returner schemes, currently over 900 GPs are on or have completed the schemes with over 300 more due to join them.

Encouraging overseas talent to migrate has also increased substantially over the last two years. The schemes has netted over overseas 200 doctors who have accepted post under the IR Fellowship programme, which targets experts from across the world - Europe, the USA, India and Australia - to bring the best of medical practice into shortage specialities in the NHS.

(gmcg)