A pilot scheme aimed at attracting GPs working abroad to come back to the UK appears to be generating “higher than expected” interest and two GPs have already entered the portfolio route of NHS England’s induction and refresher scheme.

The portfolio route of the induction and refresher scheme is designed for doctors who have previously worked as a GP in the UK and have had a break of up to five years from the NHS while working as a doctor abroad. It is hoped that the scheme will attract back or retain at least 500 GPs in UK general practice.

Announced as part of the GP Forward View, the portfolio route has been running for just a month and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), which is running the scheme, has described the level of interest as “encouraging” at this stage.

Under the scheme, GPs who complete the induction and refresher scheme will be eligible for incentive payments of up to £10,000 if they take up a post in areas with few doctors. To take part, GPs can put together a portfolio of documents to demonstrate that they have maintained their GP skills while working abroad, and show that they have kept up to date with changes in NHS practice.

They must first be interviewed by a Health Education England induction and refresher lead, who can approve their eligibility for the portfolio route. The RCGP will then advise the applicant and evaluate their documents before making a recommendation to NHS England on whether the GP can enter the induction and refresher scheme this way. NHS England will make the final decision.

As a spokeswoman for the College said, the fact that two GPs are already on the scheme within a month of its launch is very encouraging.