GP recruitment drive leads to 24 job appointment offers
No fewer than 24 general practitioners have been offered appointments under a new, twin-pronged recruitment campaign being supported by the Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative (SRMC).
The campaign comprises Phase 2 of the ‘Rediscover the Joy’ initiative, which sought to employ GPs to work for short periods in vulnerable practices, as well as a new scheme called ‘Adventurers and Wanderers’, in which doctors commit themselves to a particular practice while also being able to take up to 18 weeks a year of unpaid leave to pursue other interests.
The recruitment drive launched in February this year, attracted 50 applications from interested GPs from across the United Kingdom, 38 of whom were subsequently shortlisted. Of these, 26 GPs were interviewed – remotely, because of the Covid-19 situation – and 24 have been offered appointments, subject to processing of their credentials.
“With eight further virtual interviews to be held over the next few weeks, it’s clear that the latest campaign has been a great success. The work of the HR hub in Shetland has continued to show huge value in the processing and vetting of every candidate. ” said Martine Scott, the SRMC’s programme manager.
The coronavirus situation meant that a recruitment event for the new appointees which had been planned for the weekend of 21st and 22nd March in Glasgow had to be cancelled – but the use of virtual and remote communication channels are routinely in place to keep everybody in touch.
Initially, the ‘Rediscover the Joy of General Practice’ scheme focussed on four health boards in the north of Scotland – Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Western Isles – but Phase 2 sought to recruit GPs to practices throughout Scotland to help supplement existing retention and recruitment support.
Martine added, “from the experience of the latest recruitment drive, and the previous scheme last year, it is now a strong indication that general practices are responding to initiatives that offer variety and flexibility for GPs”.
“These schemes are not of themselves the solution to the long-standing issue of GP retention/recruitment in Scotland but they are evidently an important part of sustaining general practice in the future.”
SRMC board member gets senior Shetland post
Stornoway-based Dr Kirsty Brightwell, Associate Medical Director of NHS Western Isles, will take up the post of Medical Director in the summer.
In tandem with her role with the SRMC, Dr Brightwell has in recent months been part of the team developing the ‘Rediscover the Joy of General Practice’ initiative, which has been encouraging GPs to work in Scotland’s most remote communities.
She has also worked with the North of Scotland Planning Group and the Scottish Government to help tailor healthcare towards a more regional approach.
Originally from London, Dr Brightwell is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen. Since June last year she has taken on several medical director tasks in NHS Western Isles, including acting as the board’s responsible officer. Her extensive CV also features work for a spell with NHS Highland in Inverness and for the Royal College of General Practitioners in Edinburgh. She has also previously worked with other forensic medicine examination leads to develop a strategy for forensic care.
Dr Brightwell is married and has two sons.
Her appointment to NHS Shetland has been welcomed by that board’s chief executive, Michael Dickson, who said: “Kirsty brings with her a deep understanding of the challenges of working in an island community. We are currently experiencing an unprecedented health emergency and I know her expertise and insights will be a huge benefit for our staff and the Shetland community.”
Ralph Roberts, SRO of the SRMC and Chief Executive of NHS Borders, said: “Kirsty has long been a big advocate of rural medicine and I am sure her knowledge and enthusiasm will be a big asset to NHS Shetland, not least at this particularly challenging time. We all wish her well in her new post.”