GPs on holiday in Cornwall urged to take shifts to fill gaps at local surgeries
The three Roseland Surgeries are currently experiencing a doctor shortage
Any doctors coming to Cornwall on holiday this summer are being urged to help fill local shifts.
The three Roseland Surgeries, which have practices in Portscatho, Tregony and St Mawes, are currently experiencing a GP shortage.
One of the partners left to relocate earlier in the year.
Now with a busy summer ahead and more people expected to take staycations in the Duchy, health officials are concerned about finding locum doctors to fill shifts through August.
Practice manager Nicola Davies posted a plea on Twitter for help, which has had hundreds of like, comments and retweets.
She hopes visiting GPs will come forward to take slots and that beautiful Cornwall might even attract more staff to relocate here.
"Traditionally we've always been busy in summer, we are a tourist hotspot, so we plan ahead and we know we're going to be busy, we are here and we are open, we've never closed.
"But what I want to make sure is that we have enough sessions to cover that demand, and I don't want stress levels to rise for anybody, it is my job to make sure that everybody has a really good day at work.
"We are starting to get a bit panicky, because we're coming into a really season and anybody that knows the area knows how beautiful it is and we have lots of tourists coming down to us. We are starting to get a bit panicky about having sessions filled, so i just thought I'll just grab the bull by the horns and put something out on Twitter.
"There might be a GP here who fancies a bit of extra work, and not only can I promote Cornwall, how beautiful a place it is to live and work, but also because I'd be paying them for a locum session that would pay towards their accommodation."
Nicola Davies, practice manager, The Roseland Surgeries
NHS Kernow says GP vacancies is a problem being faced by surgeries across the country.
Health bosses are encouraging any holidaying doctors to help out over the busy summer season.
They say they have relocation schemes in place for anyone wanting to permanently move to the Duchy.
“As with general practices up and down the country we have a number of GP vacancies, and we would love to encourage people to relocate and work in our wonderful county – who wouldn’t want to be in such a stunning and friendly place.
"It’s a great place to work, lots of career development opportunities, and a supportive clinical ‘family' alongside the chance to enjoy friendly relationships with residents and others working across health and care.
"Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are preparing for a bumper holiday staycation season, which is fantastic news but means, we’re keen to hear from GPs who would be keen to work while holidaying with us.
“We do also already have a scheme established offered by Kernow Health CIC, which is owned by general practice across Cornwall, and formally supports GPs who are looking to make a lifestyle change and for new opportunities in full, part time and salaried roles.
“GPs and other practice staff can join its general practice staff bank if they’re interested in moving to our magnificent county to work in general practice.
“A previous national campaign, run by Kernow Health CIC in 2019, to support GPs to locum was a huge success with all of participating GPs seeking to relocate to the county. Following its success the scheme, known as the Introduction to Cornwall scheme, is due to restart in 2022.”
Paul Cook, GP and NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group chairman
However, any GP or practice staff interested in relocation opportunities in Cornwall can email kernowhealthcic.workforce@nhs.net or visit https://www.kernowhealthcic.org.uk/jobs/