Spanish doctors are being recruited to ease Southend's chronic GP shortage.
It comes as the British Medical Association named the borough as having one of the highest GP vacancy rates in the country.
Eleven doctors are set to arrive from Spain in March or April, although they will not see patients for three months while training.
The moves come after it was revealed that only 85 of 96 doctor posts in Southend are filled, with ten vacancies unfilled for more than three months.
Neil Smillie, of Southend Primary Care Trust, said: "Spain is over-supplied with doctors. They are very committed, highly qualified young people but have great difficulties getting posts. They are happy to move away to pick up work."
Only five primary care trusts in England have higher vacancy rates than Southend, according to a BMA survey.
Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003
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