A SPANISH GP who is working in Darlington to help to meet the shortfall in the number of British practitioners, has returned to work after giving birth.

Teresa Adan is back working at Parkgate Surgery, leaving little Aida in the capable hands of a local nursery.

She is one of many foreign doctors working in the UK to help to meet a shortfall in GP numbers in the country.

She said: "There was plenty of work in Spain but always working as a locum and often in Accident and Emergency.

"I used to visit friends in the UK every year, then I read in the paper that Britain was recruiting."

Dr Adan and her husband relocated to Darlington from Logrono in North-East Spain and bought a house in the town.

She graduated in medicine in 1997 and specialised in general practice from 1998 to 2001 when she qualified as a doctor. She said: "Darlington is a nice town and about the same size as where I lived in Spain.

"At Park Place I also have the support of another Spanish GP, Dr Ramos and I do two sessions a week at Whinfield surgery.

"I like the fact that in Britain we have more time for patients, a better relationship with consultants and better access to information.

"Patients seem tougher and prepared to put up with their symptoms longer.

"They also seem to have a very sensible attitude to their children.