GP recruitment campaign aims to attract more health care professionals to the area

A new GP recruitment campaign has been launched which aims to highlight that a successful medical career and excellent quality of life can both be achieved in Suffolk and north east Essex, and encourage health professionals to move to the area.

A video featuring GPs who explain why they have chosen to relocate to the area and the benefits it has brought them is the campaign’s centrepiece, alongside a magazine and social media advertising campaign with the British Medical Journal which is set to reach people across the UK and internationally.

You can view the video – this has been produced by the Suffolk and North East Essex Primary Care Training Hub, which is leading the campaign to get more GPs working in the area. 

The campaign hopes to encourage GPs working in other parts of the country to consider the many benefits of relocating here, as well as those working overseas, who wish to take advantage of a combination of great flexible career opportunities and living in one of the most beautiful areas of England, yet with easy access to major cities such as London and Cambridge, and convenient worldwide transport hubs, such as Stansted Airport, nearby.

There are more than 80 GP practices in the area and the health system benefits from having its own Integrated Care Academy, which is one of the first in England. This is a partnership with the University of Suffolk and is a leading academic partner supporting the changing needs of health and social care – making Suffolk and north east Essex a desirable location for any health care professional who wishes to have a fulfilling career.

Commenting on the campaign and the work being done to support GPs, Dr David Cargill, the training hub’s GP lead, says: “The challenges of GP recruitment are very well known, but perhaps less well known are the fantastic opportunities that await anyone who wishes to pursue a career in this part of the world.

“Suffolk and north east Essex have unique features that make living and working here very attractive. From a career point of view you can choose how you wish it to develop. There is an unprecedented level of support available for you to learn and progress, as well as real flexibility in the primary care openings and the hours of work available.

“From a lifestyle perspective, whether you wish a town or country way of life there are so many options and a housing stock that remains cheaper than many other parts of the country. The area is thriving culturally with many theatres and festivals happening throughout the year. There is beautiful countryside for outdoor pursuits to help you keep healthy and well, with the area being a great place to raise a family, with excellent schools and leisure activities.

“We hope the video will inspire GPs from elsewhere to consider how a relocation could result in a big boost to their health, wellbeing and career, and we’re here and ready to talk about the varied and interesting opportunities that await.”

Some comments from the GPs featured on the video:

Dr David Brandon, a GP in west Suffolk, says: “Suffolk is a perfect place to work as a GP. There’s a really good combination of affordable house prices, excellent schools, fantastic leisure facilities and a thriving academic and medical community.”

Dr Freda Bhatti who currently works as a GP in north east Essex after relocating from London, says: “I have found some really good friends and colleagues and I don’t feel I would have established these sorts of relationships in the vastness of London.”

Dr John Lynch, a GP in east Suffolk, says: “You have a wealth of opportunities working in this area. You can be in the busy town centres of Ipswich or Colchester. You can work in rural and semi-rural areas. You can work on the coast or you can work inland.”

The Suffolk and North East Essex Primary Care Training Hub website can be visited HERE