Medical Centres and Practices across the country are struggling to recruit General Practitioners, with Oakham and Rutland being no exception.

Only in July 2022, Oakham Medical Practice was rated Inadequate by the Care Quality Commission for, among other things, a detrimental staff shortage. Read about this here.

The practice have been commended for action taking regarding this rating, with the CQC acknowledging the positive way in which OMP deal with and work with their patients, involving them in decisions about the care provided. 

OMP are currently recruiting.

However, neighbouring surgery Empingham Medical Centre have already seen success, recruiting a new GP Partner, Dr Dave Steadman. The team introduced him in an informative post on Facebook this morning, Monday the 1st of August.

The practice wrote: "Welcome to our new GP Partner, Dr Dave Steadman."

Dr Dave Steadman (image courtesy of Empingham Medical Centre)

Dr Dave then introduced himself to the residents and patients he will be attending for the foreseeable future: "I am delighted that I will be joining the team at Empingham Medical Centre as a GP Partner from October onwards. Having trained as a GP in Leicestershire, for the last seven years I have been a GP Partner at a well-regarded Syston practice. I am greatly looking forward to providing excellent care to the community in Rutland.

"I believe passionately in all that is best about traditional General Practice, whilst at the same seeking to innovate, so as to best serve the needs of our patients. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife and daughter, along with our Labrador Billy. If he is lucky I may even treat him to a walk around Rutland Water! I intend to remain in post at Empingham for the rest of my career so I will hopefully have the privilege of getting to know many you over the coming years."

This is a promising step for one of Rutland's local practices, and residents and practice users have already begun leaving comments of hope and welcome on the Empingham Medical Centre Facebook page.

One user said: "Welcome, look forward to meeting you."

Another added: "Welcome to rutland good luck for your future we are a funny lot but you will get use to us."

This comes as Dr Alison Guthrie announces her retirement from the Centre after 28 years of service.

Empingham Medical Centre wrote: "It is with a great deal of sadness that Empingham Medical Centre announce the retirement of Dr Alison Guthrie. She will be retiring from her role at the end of September 2022 after 28 years of service.

"Dr Guthrie has been a committed and valued member of the practice. Her reputation for going above and beyond for her patients is well-known and respected throughout the locality and she will be sadly missed by patients and colleagues alike."

Good luck in your new post Dr Dave, and happy retirement to Dr Alison Guthrie.