A record number of trainee general practitioners attracted by £ 20,000 "hello gold"

A record number of GPs in training took out surgeries in areas difficult to recruit after the NHS offered a "hello gold" incentive of £ 20,000.

Some 520 doctors filled the positions described by the health service as "the most difficult to fill" under NHS England's targeted recruitment program.

Launched in 2016, it offers the cash bonus to trainees who commit to working in law firms for at least three years.

The program was fully subscribed in 2018/2019 when 265 GPs in training pledged to work in 23 designated areas in England, the NHS said.

The total recruitment rate exceeded the previous two years combined: 133 trainees were enrolled in 2017 and 122 in 2016.

Nikki Kanani, Acting Primary Care Director at NHS England, said: "This program reduces the pressure on general practices facing the most serious recruitment challenges, thus supporting the improvement of services in these areas in the future. over time ".

Regions with the highest number of program positions include Hull, Plymouth, Lancaster and rural areas of Durham County and North Yorkshire.

Dr. Kanani added, "Improving access to general medical services is a key priority of the NHS long-term plan, which is even more critical in areas that have always struggled. to attract general practitioners. "

The £ 20,000 is given to trainee doctors as a one-time payment and many remain in the regions after the training, the NHS said.