A new scheme has been launched to entice GPs to practice in deprived areas of the south Wales Valleys which suffer from a shortage of doctors.

The project is designed to attract family doctors into the region by allowing them to develop clinical and research skills while working in surgeries.

I am sure it will help attract and keep people in the area where there is a need

Diane Owen, GP

The two-year educational course has been set up by the University of Wales College of Medicine (UWCM) and has the financial backing of the Welsh Assembly.

It follows a British Medical Association (BMA) survey published earlier this year which found practices were struggling to fill vacancies leading to fears some surgeries could close or stop taking on new patients.

It is hoped that when the GPs complete the new course, they will stay in the area.

The doctors will improve their research skills on the scheme

Those taking part will spend two days a week seeing patients in practices across the valleys, and will teach medical students for the rest of the week.

GPs will be employed by the university during the programme - Dr Diane Owen has already started on the scheme, she believes it will work.

"These areas are very under doctored and it is a very exciting project," she said.

"It is a very positive thing and I am sure it will help attract and keep people in the area where there is a need.

"It will also show that the south Wales Valleys is an area of innovation in medical training," she added.

Care problems

UWCM Professor Chris Butler is leading the Academic Fellowship Programme in Cardiff.

He said: "This scheme will give a group of enthusiastic, young GPs a taster of the academic life and provide them with a wonderful opportunity to develop clinical, research and teaching skills.

"The programme is designed to address the need for doctors with good research skills.

"But, at the same time there is a problem with health care in the south Wales Valleys.

"We are trying to take people into the area of need and hopefully they will go back there after the programme," he added.