What incentives does the Welsh Government have in place for GP practices in rural areas to attract new and existing GP registrars?
Train Work Live is a national and international campaign, run by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), which showcases what Wales has to offer healthcare professionals, by highlighting the benefits of training, working and living in Wales. It has worked with partners to deliver a significant increase in the take-up of GP training places.
Financial incentives for GP training were introduced in 2017 as part of a package of measures to deliver the Welsh Government’s commitment to continue to invest in primary care.
The targeted incentive scheme provides £20,000 to GP trainees who take up a training post in North Wales (three training schemes – Bangor, Dyffryn Clwyd, Wrexham), Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys (trainees in Powys are linked to the schemes in Gwent and Bridgend and complete their ST3 post – final year of GP training – in Powys).
Trainees receive £10,000 on commencing their training, with the second payment made after they complete one year of practice in the incentivised region following completion of their training. The scheme was extended to Carmarthenshire from August 2023. 435 incentive payments have been made since the scheme commenced.
An independent review of the campaign will be undertaken this year.