HEALTH bosses in the North-East say they may recruit new GPs from Germany and Holland to boost local services.
Sunderland South Primary Care Group (PCG) is looking abroad as part of its effort to sign up 30 more family doctors to work on Wearside.
The city has fewer GPs per head of population than most other UK cities.
Sunderland South PCG chief executive Sue Lothian said they have already received applications from newly-qualified GPs in Germany and Holland.
The trust will be attending a medical jobs fair due to be held at Newcastle University on Saturday, in a bid to sign up new GPs.
"Looking at Europe, as well as the UK, for our recruitment gives us a larger pool of professionals to choose from, to ensure we can pick from the best candidates available," said Ms Lothian.
The PCG wants to see GP surgeries extending opening hours to improve access to services.
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