Residents of a quaint village in Cornwall set out to write a song and make a music video to attract a GP.
People at Lostwithiel said their approach was an “innovative but increasingly desperate” attempt to replace a GP who is retiring in two weeks.
No doctor responded to Lostwithiel Medical Practice’s adverts, forcing local residents to take them Recruitment matters “in their own hands – and votes”.
The song, to the tune of Nina Simone’s “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life” and sung by the local choir, appeals to a doctor “who was filled with asthma”, “new mums” and ” snot-full”. “other.”
The 90-second clip shows the town – just 20 miles from Port Isaac, where the ITV series Doc Martin is filmed – along with its school and shops.
Locals hope it will reach doctors across the UK and “touch the hearts of professionals” who are ready for “the joys of life in Cornwall”.
People in Lostwithiel, Cornwall said the song and video were an “innovative but increasingly desperate” attempt to replace a GP who is retiring in two weeks
They “took into their own hands – and voted” Lostwithiel Medical Practice’s recruitment business after no doctor responded to adverts to treat the community of 5,000
The 90-second clip shows Lostwithiel (shown on map) – just 20 miles from Port Isaac where ITV series Doc Martin is filmed
The Lostwithiel Needs a Doctor campaign was created by Dr. Justin Hendriksz, the current surviving practice partner, who approached Really Lovely Projects, a local arts-led creative business, for help.
He felt a more creative approach was needed to find newly trained or existing GPs to serve the community.
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The company launched a campaign to “advocate for people with a vocation in family medicine.”
The video, shot in less than two weeks, shows people from church to butchers all singing and dancing.
The song goes: “We have a river and a beach, we have events among the trees, we have a castle, a central station and a rush hour, restaurants.
“It’s a special place to live. If you want to give us something, you can negotiate your terms. If you keep us sanitized, you can call us.”
DR Hendriksz said: “Despite the beauty of the Cornish countryside and the vibrant, positive community of Lostwithiel, as a medical practice we have had difficulty recruiting new GPs through the usual route of advertising in all relevant medical publications.
“We are all aware of the alarming number of GPs leaving the sector, so we know we are not the only practice finding it difficult to find the right new doctors as such.”
In December, there were 36,622 general practitioners in England, equivalent to 27,375 full-time employees.
This means the number of patients per fully qualified GP has risen to an all-time high, with an average of 2,273 people rushing to appointments with each GP – an increase of 15 per cent in five years.
The Royal College of GPs says many doctors are “burning out” from the pressure and retiring earlier than planned because not enough new recruits are coming into the profession fast enough to replace them.
The number of GPs taking up part-time work has also increased, which the British Medical Association says is due to work stress, burnout and poor health.
But local residents in Lostwithiel hope their campaign will lead to a GP in their practice being rated outstanding in the Care Quality Commission’s annual patient survey. It was also voted the best farm in Cornwall and 24th in England.
According to a job posting, the city is looking for a full-time or part-time family doctor. A salary is not specified, it can be negotiated according to practice.
But the practice’s average income last year, which includes two full-time, one part-time and one assistant doctor, was £56,500.
The video, shot in less than two weeks, shows people from the church (pictured) to butchers all singing and dancing
The video, shot in less than two weeks, shows people from church to butchers (pictured) all singing and dancing
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel. The video, shot in less than two weeks, shows people from church to butchers all singing and dancing.
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
Dr Hendriksz added, “We are very proud of our historic work and service to our local Lostwithiel community, and we really need to find our medical successors to continue our mission of providing patients with the ‘right person at the right time’ and treat place.” , At the right moment”.
“Of course I’m biased, but there really is no better place to be a GP and my open-minded team and I have always felt very valued and appreciated in this very special community.
“The whole community is behind this idea and I sincerely hope that the campaign’s pop song and video will reach the right people to come and find their ultimate job and home here in Lostwithiel.”
DR William Howe, who is retiring at the end of March, said Lostwithiel, where he has worked for more than 30 years, was a “fantastic community”.
He said: ‘The medical practice has a great team and whoever fills the new position will be very lucky despite the current general challenges in the profession.’
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
The GP recruitment video filmed by the residents of Lostwithiel
Norman Pendray, a local farmer and marching band leader who took part in the video, said: “There are many reasons why Lostwithiel Medical Practice is the best in Cornwall, not least because you get same day appointments with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
“We are very satisfied with this great service and look forward to Dr. Howe and make them feel at home in our special Cornish community.’
Emma Mansfield, a spokeswoman for Really Lovely Projects, said: “Our local GP contacted us and said he was trying to recruit a new doctor and said he was unhappy and felt he needed to do something very radical.
“At the moment it is difficult to find family doctors everywhere and we want an excellent doctor who really stays here for 20 years.
“We are a very close-knit community and I think everyone knows that once one of our two GPs leaves, the fantastic service we receive is reduced by 50 per cent.
“Being in Cornwall, we also have a much higher aging population.
“Everyone came and participated. It’s all done locally, a local musician did the playback, the local choir sang it.’
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
