Looking to headhunt UK doctors

[MotherBear]

DHBs head for Britain to find doctors
Page 1 of 2 5:00AM Thursday June 28, 2007
By Martin Johnston


The recruitment drive may cost $1.7m. Photo / Getty Images

Health boards are planning to raid British hospitals for medical staff after reaching "tipping point" in the local shortage of permanent junior doctors.

Seventeen of the 21 district health boards have joined the scheme to lure about 160 junior doctors and 40 GPs here - British-trained doctors and New Zealanders overseas.

The recruitment agency, Geneva Health, plays up New Zealand's "rugged coastlines", ski fields and "sipping fine wine in a local vineyard" in its website's pitch to attract doctors.

Recruiters leave for Britain next week to capitalise on what a leaked report calls a "window of opportunity", after training changes there have left many junior doctors potentially unemployed.

The report, written for the association of DHBs and made public by National's health spokesman, Tony Ryall, says the Medical Council and Immigration Service are willing to assist with a "co-ordinated approach" to registration and immigration requirements.

More here .