More GPs are set to work in Kent and Medway under a government scheme designed to plug a shortfall as record numbers leave the profession.

NHS England says it plans to speed up and expand an international recruitment programme, following a successful trial in different parts of the country.

It says action to recruit new doctors is needed now despite a 25% increase in the numbers expected to go to medical school over the next few years.

Kent and Medway is one of 11 areas that will take part in the expansion, with the government planning to recruit around 600 overseas doctors to join general practice surgeries in England next year.

It is not clear exactly how many are expected to take up jobs in Kent or Medway.

A recent study suggested that 40% of GPs in Kent and Medway are planning to leave general practice in the next five years.

The study, carried out by the Kent Local Medical Committee (LMC), said the majority of GPs were planning to retire, but warned younger recruits were not replacing them in the numbers required

Under the government’s initiative, at least 2,000 doctors are expected to be recruited over the next three years.

“The doctors will be expected to meet the highest standards of practice, including being able to speak good English" - Dr James Thallon

Dr James Thallon, Medical Director for NHS England South East, said: “Most new GPs will continue to be trained in this country but the NHS has a proud history of ethically employing international medical professionals, with one in five GPs currently coming from overseas.

"This scheme will deliver new recruits to help improve services for patients in Kent and Medway and reduce some of the pressure on hard working GPs across the area.

“The doctors will be expected to meet the highest standards of practice, including being able to speak good English, and support will be in place to ensure this as well as being offered help with the relocation of their families.”

The expanded international recruitment scheme will initially focus on doctors in the European Economic Area, whose GP training is recognised in the UK under European law and already get automatic recognition to join the GMC’s GP Register.