Feb 6 2018
- Next phase of the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ NHS recruitment campaign -
The BMA’s latest quarterly survey of doctors has found that 71 per cent of hospital doctors had experienced rota gaps in their departments, with 65 per cent reporting they had unfilled posts – 80 per cent of which had remained vacant for six months or more.
Four NHS healthcare providers in Northamptonshire in partnership with the University of Northampton are proactively addressing the growing shortage of NHS doctors with the next phase of their innovative ‘Best of Both Worlds’ recruitment campaign, stepping up their recruitment drive for doctors, with some leadership positions available.
The campaign launched last year unites the University of Northampton, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton General Hospital, Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and St Andrew’s Healthcare in a joint recruitment focus and aims to promote the benefits of relocating to Northamptonshire such as the variety of career opportunities and good quality of life for doctors.
There are several vacancies for doctors and consultants across the county and currently there is a critical leadership role available at Kettering General Hospital, who is looking to recruit a Chief of Division to manage the medical workforce.
Dr Andrew Chilton, Medical Director at Kettering General Hospital relocated to Northamptonshire around 15 years ago. Andrew says there are many opportunities for medical professionals to develop and lead in Northamptonshire and that it’s a very dynamic working environment.
Dr Chiltern comments:
At KGH you are not entering a teaching hospital where you have a narrow role as a consultant – here you have the opportunity to develop your passions around teaching, academia and research. There is also good interaction between colleagues and management, which is important.
The main attractions are the career development opportunities. We are seeking individuals who want to become clinical leaders in their specialities. We can provide them with excellent training and support. There is good access to the senior management team here and everyone is supportive.
“We want to add value and to enable doctors and consultants to develop and flourish. We will expose them to far more career development opportunities earlier on in their career than in some of the big Trusts,” adds Andrew.
Andrew is keen to highlight the excellent training on offer at KGH. The University of Leicester Medical school granted Affiliated Teaching Hospital status to KGH in 2012 for consistently high standards of education for medical students, which he believes should help recruit doctors.
The undergraduate level has the highest satisfaction level and there is a very high first time pass rate at postgraduate level. There is also a real opportunity for medical professionals to get into academic roles.
Andrew also believes Northamptonshire is a great place to live and work. He says:
We’re just one hour away from London, Oxford and Cambridge and there are many advantages particularly for families. This is a beautiful, rural county, with lovely villages and great schools, historic houses and it’s the home of Formula One.
When asked why Doctors should consider relocating to Northamptonshire, Andrew says:
The work life balance is good and nowhere is difficult to commute to. Whilst the work can be challenging, you are rewarded by working in a wonderful environment and always only minutes from the countryside.
Andrew highlights that many Doctors even end up returning to work at KGH. He says:
Doctors who learnt their medicine and skills here often return to work here. There is great service development, and teams are very supportive of each other. For those that are passionate about research there are also good research networks here.