The call for British born doctors to return "home" to England because the country is short of GPs will fall on deaf ears. Medical professionals have moved to Australia for higher income, better lifestyle and great weather.
If the UK wants to keep its doctors it will have to pay them more and make sure there housing is top class. Central heating is a must-have in England. I used to live there and for 365 days a year my feet were cold despite wearing fur-lined boots. The Australian sun is the driving force for people moving here. The cold country cannot offer this.
Career breaks for British doctors invariably turn into permanent relocation to a healthier outdoor lifestyle. The only thing that can make immigrants change their mind is a massive increase in income and the British government is not offering much. Talk is cheap and it will not convince ex-patriots. A recruitment drive must offer something significant. Otherwise it will be a waste of money.
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| Doctors not tempted |
There is a plus for Britain: both countries have prime ministers of similar ilk. Both are taking money out of health. The health sectors in these countries are in a bad way and in decline. Ten million pounds is far to low for a recruitment scheme. However, resident doctors will not accept extra income being paid "only" to overseas medical practitioners to temp them back to Britain.
Stipulating that these doctors have to work in areas where doctors are short to get the money is a barrier. We have the same problem in Australia. Rural doctors get the same government rebate as city doctors in Australia. Convincing GPs to live in the bush is like hitting them with a feather duster.
✴ Health by Ty Buchanan ✴
