THE first of a new wave of Spanish GPs arrive in the region on Monday as part of an NHS recruitment drive.

The influx of foreign GPs follows agreement between the British and Spanish governments to increase the NHS medical workforce.

It follows a recruitment trip to Spain by a team from County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, which led to a visit by 13 Spanish GPs in April.

GP shortages are acute in the North-East, with particular blackspots on Teesside and Wearside.

Dr Jose Miralles, a Spanish GP who came to work in County Durham more than 13 years ago, said: "I have spoken to the six GPs recently and they are all very enthusiastic about starting work next week."

The six family doctors flying in from Spain will join practices across County Durham after a 12-week induction period. During this period each GP will have two days per week of intensive linguistic training, two days per week working in a specialist training practice and one day a week for personal development.

After they join their practice, contact and support will continue to be available for another three months.

* Dr Wassim Abdel Khalek will work at The Surgery, Spennymoor.

* Dr Maria Teresa Casasin Fernandez will work in nursing homes for the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust.

* Dr Oriol Armengol Badia will work at the William Brown Centre, Peterlee.

* Dr Pablo Llontop Garcia will work at Consett Medical Centre.

* Drs Sandra Martin and Maria Jose Juan Valero will work for Dr Yule and Partners, Langley Park and part-time for Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.