NHS Scotland offers 100 ‘golden hello’ GP training places

NHS Education for Scotland has offered 100 £20,000 ‘golden hellos’ for GP trainees going to 37 hard-to-fill locations in rural and remote areas.

The additional 100 GP training places will bring the total trainee places in Scotland to 439, although 88 of the original posts remain vacant.

Simultaneously, a recruitment drive has been launched to encourage more junior doctors to consider practicing in Scotland, with advertisements being placed on behalf of Scottish Health Boards.

Scottish Health secretary Shona Robison said: “That is why we are investing to recruit more junior doctors into GP training posts – with 100 extra places advertised this year to help build the primary care workforce of the future.

“However, we know there are some parts of the country that have challenges recruiting – mainly because of their geographical location. So we’re offering a financial incentive with certain posts to fill these vital training places.”

A statement by NHS Education for Scotland said: “The Scottish Government and NHS Education Scotland drive aims to highlight the benefits of living and working as a GP in Scotland. A series of adverts and a social media campaign will run to raise awareness of the opportunities that medical training in Scotland provides.”