A project that places research minded GPs in rural practices has proved successful enough in Wales that it is to be extended, it was announced today.

The news was welcomed by practice managers, who say it is helping tackle doctor shortages. Wales launched the academic fellows project four years ago and it has now led to two doctors taking up partnerships in practices in the centre and west of the country.

Two more doctors are due to complete later this year. Now a sum of £755,000 has been allocated to recruit more doctors over the next two years. GPs involved in the project are attached to Swansea University and can spend up to three days a week there.

GP Dr Chris Horn now hopes to commit his career to a rural practice in west Wales. He said: “My working week (three days at Swansea University and two days at the practice) allowed me to keep well-practiced and up to date with my medicine whist still exploring the worlds of teaching and research.

“Without the opportunity to ‘taste’ these working areas, I may not have considered broadening my horizons in this way or had the opportunity. I believe that the portfolio career which I have developed will benefit me, and my patients, both now and for a long time to come. Both practices were very welcoming and I accepted the offer of a partnership at first of these, Meddygfa Tywi, Nantgaredig, before the end of my year with them. It is where I remain to this day and I hope, until the end of my career. Without this scheme it is unlikely I would ever have stumbled across this delightful rural area of West Wales.”

His practice manager Kim Davies said: “Having Chris join us as a partner has been a major boost to the long term sustainability of this practice. It can be difficult to recruit and attract new GPs to this part of Wales. But the Academic Fellows scheme gives people like Chris the chance to live and work here, and experience all this wonderful part of the world has to offer. I hope more practices in Mid and West Wales get to benefit from this scheme as we have.”