The NHS has been forced to ask British doctors in Australia to come home due to a major shortfall in numbers . Around 1,000 more GPs are urgently needed in England , according to new figures released by the House of Commons library . It is thought that nearly 1,500 doctors - who cost the taxpayer up to £610,000 to train - move to Australia every year . To bridge the gap they have been offered a place on a 'fully funded ' programme , which they can choose to be either full or part time , if they return . Around 1,000 more GPs are needed in England . An advert has been placed in two medical magazines asking doctors in Australia to come home to bridge the gap ( stock picture ) An advert was placed in the Australian Doctor and the Medical Observer by NHS England 's Shropshire and Staffordshire area team and Health Education Midlands earlier this month . It said : 'This scheme will help you rediscover and enhance the skills you need to return , or start to practise in the UK . 'It 's fully funded , so you will be supported whilst you complete the programme . ' The NHS has simultaneously announced a £10million strategy to further tempt graduates and experienced medical staff . Under a quarter of trainees chose to go into general practice last year - with just over 5,000 applicants in total . But cash will now be offered if they work in an under-staffed area for three years . Andy Burnham ( above ) , shadow minister for health , said the figures prove the NHS is suffering from a GP recruitment crisis . Andy Burnham , shadow minister for health , said the figures prove the NHS is suffering from a GP recruitment crisis . 'GP services have gone into freefall under this government . David Cameron promised to put GPs at the heart of the NHS , but instead caused a new GP recruitment crisis , ' he told the Observer . But GP leaders have said that the advertisements will not solve the staffing crisis . Dr Ken Deacon , medical director of the North Midlands at NHS England , said that the problem was newly qualified GPs being outnumbered by those nearing retirement . The advert promised doctors currently working in Australia ( Sydney Opera House above ) that the scheme would 'help you rediscover and enhance the skills you need to return ' A female-heavy workforce has also been blamed for the gap . The 'feminisation ' of surgeries has led to the UK needing more trainees because women are more likely to work shorter hours than men , a report released by the Migration Advisory Committee last week claimed . This has contributed to an annual shortage of 450 to 550 GPs , the committee warned . It suggested that more needed to be done to recruit family doctors - including hiring extra foreign doctors from across the EU . A spokesperson for NHS England said that the central team had not previously been aware of the advertisement , but described it as a ‘ positive scheme ’ .
Advert placed in two magazines promises 'fully funded ' scheme on return . Nearly 1,500 doctors move to Australia and New Zealand each year . Comment: Andy Burnham MP said NHS is experiencing a 'GP recruitment crisis '