Why North Wales?
A warm welcome awaits
North Wales has it all, with tranquil and stunning countryside on your doorstep we have the Snowdonia National Park, diverse mixture of nature reserves, seaside villages, pristine beaches, and even a castle or two! We think north Wales is a great place to live, as you are close to the beach, countryside and local towns which are often filled with independent shops, cafes and sometimes even a microbrewery! But you will never be far from the cities of North West of England - Chester and Liverpool are around an hour’s drive away, and Manchester and Birmingham can be reached by car in under two hours.
For families
North Wales is a family friendly area, with a number of great state and independent schools, colleges and universities (Bangor and Wrexham) that offer a range of courses at different levels. We have a variety of nurseries, schools and higher education providers. The process for applying for a school can be found on the local council websites.
Settling in
We have a rich welsh language, culture and history, speaking and learning welsh is actively promoted within schools and the health board. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable and English speakers will be treated equally as those who speak Welsh, but if you did want to learn to speak Welsh we offer free courses within the health board, and Nant Gwrtheyrn provides intensive welsh language courses for your family to access. As part of your recruitment process you will be required to sign up to the Welsh Medical Performers List, this is a straightforward process and we will support you throughout this application (Similar to England’s Medical Performers List).
What it's like to work here
There are 12 Health Board Practices across the region, which comprise of a variety of list sizes and locations. We are looking for passionate, caring and innovative individuals to join the team, helping us provide the highest quality of care to our patients. If you feel you have these skills, want to be part of a happy, engaged, supported team and want to help us develop our practice - then you are the person for us!
Why you'll love it here
You’ll receive a very warm welcome from our team which comprises a mixture of clinicians, admin, reception, medicine management, pharmacy and community staff. We have a strong multidisciplinary approach to care, and are focused on delivering high quality outcomes for our patients.
Weekend inspiration
Beaumaris
Beaumaris is a captivating seaside town with its mix of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Its name is based on the Norman ‘beau marais’, meaning ‘fair marsh’, a description of the site chosen by Edward 1 for the last of his ‘Iron ring’ of castles, constructed in his bid to control the Welsh.
Colwyn Bay Artisan Market
3rd Saturday of each month
Here you'll discover a host of unique handmade artisan arts & crafts from local artists, designers and makers.
Alongside an array of artisan cheeses, breads, olives, chocolates, cakes and, of course, our delightful street food trucks serving an impressive choice of hot foods from around the world.
Take your time, relax, unwind, enjoy the entertainment and be sure to have a drink (or three) from one of our mobile bars serving some of the finest gins, rums, prosecco's, craft lagers and local ales around.
-Artisan Market website
(https://www.theartisanmarketcompany.co.uk/markets)
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Llangollen
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, is a World Heritage Site that carries the Llangollen Canal high above the Dee Valley.
(https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/pontcysyllte-aqueduct-world-heritage-site)
Where is north Wales?
Based in the North West of the UK, we have excellent road links, within North Wales, and to the rest of the UK.
You can live in rural North Wales, thriving towns, or commute from Chester or Liverpool.
House prices are very competitive.
Great selection of state and private schools.
Largest health board in Wales, giving applicants the opportunity to develop a unique portfolio role working across primary/community/secondary care.
Can you offer Sponsorship/ Visa to work?
Yes, as long as the role you are applying for meets the sponsorship/visa criteria.
Please get in touch for more information.
Is it difficult for GPs to get on the Welsh Performers list?
Contrary to popular belief, the process of registering onto the Welsh Performers List is not a lengthy one – a speedy process has been put in place to ensure there are no delays in you joining us in Wales to work!
The following information explains, in brief, what the process entails!
There are different processes for dealing with applications from performers wishing to practice in Wales, dependent upon whether they are already included in the Medical Performers List of a Primary Care Organisation (PCO) in the UK or if they are new or returning to general practice in the UK following an extended absence of 2 years or more.
Apply for Inclusion in the Medical Performers List
3 month grace period
Once you have applied for inclusion in the Welsh Medical Performers list, if you are already included in a Medical Performers List of a Primary Care Organisation in the UK, you are able to commence working in Wales whilst your application is being processed.
Doctors included in the List of a Primary Care Organisation applying for inclusion in Wales (Regulation 4A applications)
If a performer is registered with another PCO in the UK and wishes to apply for inclusion in the List of a Health Board in Wales the applicant will be asked to complete a short application form, produce an original enhanced criminal record certificate (less than 3 years old) and provide evidence of appropriate medical indemnity. The performer will also be asked to give consent for the NWSSP to undertake further checks with their host PCO (ie confirmation that satisfactory clinical references have been provided, details of the applicant’s medical qualifications and professional experience). Upon receipt of this documentation and consent form the applicant will be granted provisional inclusion in the List of the appropriate Welsh Health Board for a period of 3 months whilst further checks are undertaken. This streamlined process (which was introduced in Wales in March 2016) allows for the processing of complete applications within 5 working days but is very dependent upon the timely return of reference etc.
Doctors applying for inclusion in a Welsh Performers list after an absence of less than 2 years
Doctors applying for inclusion in the Performers List of a Welsh Health Board will be required to complete a full application form and return it to the NWSSP-PCS for processing together with an enhanced DBS certificate (undertaken within the preceding 6 months), evidence of appropriate medical indemnity and consent for the NWSSP-PCS (on behalf of the relevant Health Board) to contact any employer or previous employer, licensing or regulatory or other body for information relating to any current investigation or any investigation where the outcome was adverse, the names of two referees that are able to provide clinical references etc. Performers in this category are unable to work in Wales until all checks have been undertaken and the application for inclusion in the Performers List has been approved by the relevant Health Board. Again, this process is very dependent upon external bodies retuning information in a timely manner but we aim to finalise such applications within 8 – 10 weeks.
Doctors returning to Wales following an absence of 2 years or more
Doctors returning to Wales after a period of absence from the UK of 2 years or more, or doctors who have not worked within the NHS GP practice setting for more than 2 years may be asked to undergo refresher training. In such instances, a copy of the applicants C.V. will be sent to the Director of Postgraduate Education for General Practice who will give a clinical opinion as to the necessity for refresher training.
If the Director of Postgraduate Studies considers a period of refresher training to be appropriate the doctor will be signposted to the ‘Induction and Refresher Scheme’, which is run by the GP National Recruitment Office (based in Edgbaston, Birmingham) for England and Wales. An assessment will be undertaken, the results of which will determine the duration of the required training. Placements in general practice can last between 3 – 12 months. At this stage the performer will be asked to complete a full application form and all necessary checks will have to be successfully completed before inclusion in the Medical Performers List can be considered. Where induction or refresher training is required the performer will be conditionally included in the Medical Performers List (ie. the condition being that their practise is restricted to the GP training practice with which they have been placed and that they will successfully complete the GP Returner Scheme). If the performer successfully completes the course the conditions will be lifted and the doctor will be able to provide unrestricted services but if the performer is not successful, the Health Board can take steps to remove the doctor from its’ Performers List.
Do I need to speak Welsh to work in north Wales?
In North Wales there is a rich welsh language, culture and history, speaking and learning Welsh is actively promoted within the health board.
The ability to speak Welsh is a desirable quality, and applications from English speakers will be treated equally as those in Welsh.
If you would like to learn Welsh, there are plenty of face-to-face and online classes available through our dedicated Welsh Language Tutor.
Isn't it all mountains and rural?
Living in north Wales may give you the tranquillity and stunning countryside on your doorstep, but it is also incredibly well connected, so you’re never far from the hustle and bustle of a major city.
With excellent commuter links to Snowdonia National Park and the cities of the north west of England – Chester and Liverpool are less than an hour’s drive away, and Manchester can be reached by car in under two hours.
Is there any possibility of undertaking a specialist interest whilst working as a GP in North Wales?
Yes. Portfolio and speciality roles are advertised at certain periods through the year. If you would like to undertake a role like this, please get in touch and we can advise you of the current roles available.