Member Article

Recruitment given a health check by region’s GPs

GP surgeries across the North East are turning to apprenticeship programmes to help fill the skills gap which exists for quality administrative staff.

Gateshead Community Based Care (GCBC) is working with GP Practices in Gateshead to recruit apprentices on their behalf. Alyson Wilson, Operations Manager at GCBC, said: “There’s a lot of talk about skills shortages in engineering and manufacturing, but the same is actually true of GP surgeries too. Receptionists and administrative staff have often stayed in their jobs right up until retirement, and when they leave there’s a huge problem trying to find a replacement.”

Alyson has placed three apprentices in surgeries in just 10 months, and is continuing to work with practices to take on more. Georgia Batey, 18, started her apprenticeship at Bewick Road surgery in April 2014, and is now working at the St Alban’s practice. Hayley Sanson, 19, replaced Georgia Batey at Bewick Road, and Rachel Riley, 20, now works at St Alban’s practice in Felling.

Alyson added: “The fact that surgeries now contact us and ask specifically for an apprentice is testament to the quality of the candidates we find and the value they bring. A lot of the time, they are extremely good with IT so are able to step straight into an admin role and with some training, can progress right up to medical secretary, as we have seen recently with one of our candidates.”

At Central Gateshead Medical Group, another trio of apprentices are also proving to be an asset to the practice and the rest of the team. Alex Rowley, 17, Amy Smith and Kelsey Bambrough, both aged 20, are progressing well and learning essential skills to equip them for a career in a surgery or other NHS setting.

Elaine Trevena, Deputy Practice Manager, said: “Our apprentices are a really important part of our team. They are all keen to learn and joined us with excellent IT skills which meant that they were able to get up to speed with our new IT system very quickly and provide support to other members of the team.”

The apprentices were recruited from Gateshead-based Access Training. Malcolm Armstrong, managing director, said: “As a training provider, we know all too well the value apprentices bring to a business. We are seeing more and more GPs surgeries recruit apprentices, a clear sign that it’s a route which works for both their practice and the apprentice.

“The feedback we receive is extremely positive and we expect to work with an increasing number of surgeries throughout 2015. At present both surgeries have raised additional vacancies with us, and we are currently recruiting on their behalf.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Baxter (Trumpet Communications) .