A Monmouthshire psychiatrist has welcomed the continuation of a Welsh Government campaign to promote Wales as an excellent place for doctors to train, work and live and new incentives for psychiatrists.

Following the success of the drive, which resulted in 91% of Wales’ GP training places being filled in 2017, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething will today launch the next phase of the This is Wales: Train. Work. Live. campaign.

The international and UK-wide campaign is aimed at medical students, foundation doctors considering the next stage in their career, as well as trainees coming to the end of their training, to encourage them train, work and live in Wales.

It also targets recently qualified GPs, those in the early stages of their career and experienced GPs who may wish to work differently, or return to the workforce in Wales.

Vaughan Gething will visit Winch Lane Surgery in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire today (Monday ) and meet trainees who have chosen to start their GP training in Wales.

Pembrokeshire is one of the Welsh Government’s incentivised areas. In 2016 none of the GP places in Pembrokeshire were filled, but 100% of places were filled in 2017 following the launch of the Train. Work. Live campaign.

During the visit the Health Secretary will announce that last year’s GP training incentive scheme will be available again this year. The scheme offers applicants £20,000 to train in areas of Wales which have had long term difficulty filling places, on the condition they remain in the area for one year of practice afterwards.

A second incentive of a one-off payment for all GP specialty programme trainees to cover the first sitting of their final exams will also continue.

This year, an incentive is also being offered to encourage psychiatrists to train in Wales. This consists of a one off-payment of up to £1,900 for psychiatry core trainees to cover the cost of one sitting of the MRCPsych membership exams.

The renewed national and international campaign features real medical professionals, who are either from outside Wales and have chosen to move here to train and live, or are returning to Wales following a period of working away.

The continuation of the campaign and introduction of new financial incentives for psychiatrists in Wales is welcome news to Monmouthshire trainee psychiatrist Jennifer Rankin (34) who relocated from London to finish her studies and raise a family.

She explains: “My mother was a nurse and I remember wanting to be a doctor as a teenager. I was drawn to the idea of helping people, but also getting to know them in the process. Now I specialise in psychiatry and mental health at St Cadoc’s Hospital, in South Wales, so I’m fulfilling both of those ambitions.

“I studied medicine at Cardiff University, where I met my husband. I liked the city because it has all the fun of a capital but still feels small and intimate. After qualifying, we lived in London for four years but chose to return to Wales when we had children because of the more affordable cost of living and better work life balance it offered.

“At present I’m studying towards my membership exams for the Royal College of Psychiatry before I spend a couple more years completing my psychiatry training. I receive mentoring from the consultants and my career progression routes are clearly mapped out, backed by leadership and management schemes. As Junior Doctor Representative for a Health Board in South Wales, I also provide support and mentoring for junior doctors and work with senior managers to resolve any issues on their behalf.

“There are lots of research opportunities nearby and everyone in my profession seems to know everybody else, so it’s easier to build a good reputation and a strong network of contacts here. I have been involved with a research survey into psychotherapy training, which is delivered to Royal College of Psychiatry students, and will deliver a presentation about the results at an annual conference held by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Belfast this autumn. The findings will influence the future of training for junior psychiatrists, and it’s fantastic to be involved in a project which will help to shape my specialism in this way.

“Since moving back to Wales I have been able to work part time, which is great while my children are young. I’ve got a really good work life balance now. I’m very lucky to work with approachable senior consultants and friendly colleagues, for a supportive health board which values employee feedback and takes steps to improve working conditions for staff.

“I’d recommend Wales to anyone who is considering a career in the medical profession. I don’t have any regrets about my decision to come here. There is excellent training, fantastic opportunities in a wide range of different places to work, senior colleagues are genuinely interested in you, there are great facilities and quality opportunities for research. Outside work we love to go walking near our home in Abergavenny and enjoy the scenery, or sample delicious Welsh dishes at one of the local food festivals that take place during the year. In Wales, you have the choice of the city or the countryside, right on your doorstep.”

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “I’ve been absolutely delighted with the success of this campaign, but there’s more work to do to ensure all of our GP training places are filled for the future.

“Today I will be announcing the continuation of the incentives we have put in place, and I’m pleased we are extending the campaign to encourage psychiatrists to come to Wales. We know there is a real recruitment challenge for the psychiatry workforce across the UK.

“For those considering a career in Wales it’s important to highlight the benefits of working and living here, including an Education Contract for junior doctors, the first in the UK. It guarantees ring-fenced time for learning within the working week to ensure trainee doctors will have access to a wide range of educational opportunities to support their career development.

“I’m proud of the impact this campaign has had so far. It has shown that Wales is not only an excellent place to live but it’s also a great place to train and work. I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Harriet Poynter, a trainee GP who has taken advantage of the Welsh Government’s incentive scheme and moved from London to Pembrokeshire after seeing the campaign, said: "I have lived in London all my life, so a move to Wales was a big step for me. It was always the plan to continue my training in London, but after a year in a long-distance relationship with a man based in Wales I started to weigh-up my options.

“The information provided through the Train. Work. Live. campaign definitely helped to sway my decision, as did the incentive to come to the area, which has contributed towards a deposit on a house - something I would have found extremely difficult to do in London.

“I am already seeing the benefits of a move to Pembrokeshire. The best thing about working in the hospital here is the effect the Welsh education contract is having on my training, allowing me to meet all my training needs. I’m also enjoying living on the coast, even the drive to work still amazes me. There is so much to do here and everyone is so friendly and welcoming."