ABSTRACT
In November 2002 the Department of Health launched a 'National Returner Campaign', which included the introduction in England of the 'General practitioner (GP) Returner Scheme' to facilitate a re-entry programme through refresher training. At the beginning of the campaign, adverts were placed in national newspapers and medical press, including the telephone number of the Returners Hotline operated by National Health Service (NHS) Professionals. This is an agency, based in Sheffield, which provides an administrative function for the scheme on behalf of the Department of Health. There was variable anecdotal evidence of doctors who had left the NHS, mainly in training grades, but who were interested in returning to clinical practice. Referrals of potential returners come from a variety of sources with many responding to the advertising campaigns and articles in the medical and general press. Returners contact NHS Professionals in Sheffield and after preliminary screening for suitability is referred to deanery contacts for further advice and processing.
