There are around 34,000 GPs working in England, but the RCGP has estimated that ...

A campaign launched today will highlight the Induction and Refresher scheme, which has already seen almost 800 family doctors apply to return to practice after taking a break from their role, working in another job or moving overseas. Of these, 279 have completed the programme and rejoined the GP workforce in England. It is hoped new brochures for GPs considering a return and a digital, social media and print advertising campaign will attract hundreds more.

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Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), said: "Increasing GP numbers in the NHS will be vital to deliver the aspirations of the NHS Long Term Plan, in the best interests of patients.

"The Induction and Refresher scheme has demonstrated positive results so far - and it's great that so many appropriately trained doctors want to work in UK general practice - we now need to build on this success."

There are around 34,000 GPs working in England, but the RCGP has estimated that 6,000 more are needed.

Research last month revealed that more than 40 per cent of GPs intended to quit the profession within five years.

Many family doctors felt demoralised and were looking to reduce their hours or retire altogether, according to a survey of more than 900 GPs by researchers at the University ofWarwick.

Dr Nikita Kanani, NHS England acting medical director for primary care, said the scheme had already achieved more than half its recruitment target.

helenProfessor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) (Image: PA)

"General practice is the bedrock of the health service," she said.

"We understand the pressures GPs are under, and have invested an extra £978million in core general practice funding by 2023-24 as part of the GP Contract, together with a pledge to recruit more than 20,000 healthcare workers to support family doctors over the next five

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