DOCTORS are being flown in from across Europe to work shifts throughout Worcestershire.

Foreign GPs are helping sick people outside office hours, sometimes for only a weekend, because of a shortage of local doctors.

This bank holiday a German medic is flying from Berlin to work in Worcester. The same doctor also attended calls in Malvern for two days last week.

Private agencies supplying doctors say they must meet strict standards guidelines, including some on language skills, set by the General Medical Council.

But David Brownridge, secretary of the Worcestershire branch of the British Medical Association, said he would prefer local doctors.

"Because the rate of pay isn't enough or the work is too unattractive, that isn't happening," he said.

"I wouldn't want to denigrate any doctors from outside because, hopefully, they are adequately trained.

"But it is always better if you are working in a hospital or primary care environment that you know the ropes with regards to the acute trust."

One of the five agencies working in Worcestershire said it hired doctors from France, Spain, Germany and Scandinavia, where qualifications were 'the equivalent if not higher' than in Britain.

"Quality is the key - maybe local knowledge helps, but we've got very, very good European doctors we might choose to take over from local doctors.

"With budget flights it's easy enough to fly from a European country and work for the weekend."

Matthew Burke, general manager of the county's out-of-hours service, run by the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said the scheme was 'very successful'.

"Doctors who work out of hours are either salaried GPs or from an authorised medical agency," he added.

THE AGENCIES

Global Healthcare Solutions, based in Watford: supplies foreign doctors in Worcestershire.

Ambition, in London: hires international doctors but only those living in Britain. Refused to reveal whether any are working in Worcestershire.

First Call, in Rochdale: refused to comment.

Medics Incorporated, in Leeds: hires international doctors but does not provide any in Worcestershire.

Three Counties Locums, Cheltenham: only hires doctors from the Three Counties.