Havering CCG Secure Local NHS Funding.

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Havering CCG Secure Local NHS Funding.

On Friday the 25th of August Havering's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced that they have secured a share of over £1.2 million funding from NHS England to recruit GPs from overseas. The local scheme will see 35 GP's recruited to work in Havering, with hopes that the recruitment drive will help improve patient access to primary care services.

The funding has been provided as part of NHS England's international GP recruitment scheme, which is designed to attract at least 2,000 appropriately trained and qualified GPs from overseas over the next three years. Following several regional pilots, the north-east London scheme is one of 11 areas to receive funding in this second phase of the programme.

Recruitment will target not just GPs who have qualified in the European Economic Area (EEA) but also UK citizens looking to return to the country. The CCG have assured that doctors recruited deliver safe, high quality care, including good English language skills. There are also plans to provide ongoing support and development for the new GPs, to provide a smooth transition and help retain them in the north-east London area.

Jon Cruddas MP Said:

"Fantastic news for Havering. One of the many problems residents have been continuously battling is oversubscribed GP surgeries and not enough staff. It's reassuring to see extra funding coming to Havering from our local NHS, and I am sure this will have a positive effect on our community."

To find out more about the national scheme, visit the NHS England website.