A NEW wave of foreign health workers has arrived in the region.

Three Austrian GPs have left their home country to start a new life in the region in practices in Sedgefield borough.

For a six-month induction period, Johanna Schwarz will work in Barnard Castle, Sevil Algan in Spennymoor and Johann Brandmair at Seaham.

As well as training for three-and-a-half days at the practices, they will work with a mentor, receive language training and meet other medics across the county.

Once they are settled in, they will each be given posts by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, which has given each a two-year contract in a bid to provide more GPs to meet the needs of patients throughout the borough.

Charles McGaughey, the primary care trust's director of primary care, said: "They are all very enthusiastic about starting work here.

"They realise that getting used to working in a different country can take a while but, with the induction period and continued support, they are confident that they will enjoy working in general practice in Sedgefield borough."

Chairwoman Gloria Wills said looking overseas for new doctors was part of an ongoing drive to recruit more doctors and nurses and will help the trust deliver more treatment, advice and support to patients.