Doctors could get a ‘golden hello’ of up to £10,000 to bring new GPs to Braintree.

The Essex Local Medical Committee (LMC), which represents the county’s GPs, says there is a shortage of about 150 in the county, and has identified Braintree as a priority area.

It has been given £400,000 from Health Education England and plans to give a £5,000 bonus to new doctors who stay for at least two years.

They could receive another £2,500 depending on the area’s level of deprivation and an extra £2,500 depending on how short of doctors it is.

* Full story in this week's Braintree and Witham Times.