FIVE Spanish doctors are set to set up practice in Thurrock.

Thurrock Primary Care Trust (PCT) has brought in the doctors. Four of them are currently undergoing an intensive course in English and then all five will be taking a course with Anglia Polytechnic University to brush-up on their new-found language skills.

All five are qualified and experienced GPs from the Basque region of Spain and will soon be joining training GP practices across Thurrock.

Initially they will work with established doctors, learning such things as the NHS way of working and the English names for drugs.

In fact one, Dr Beatriz Garmendia Arabolaze - whose English is already good - has spent time in one local practice.

She said: "Things could have been very difficult, but everything has been arranged very well. We are very comfortable and very happy to be here.

"The working arrangements are quite similar to those we are used to. There are differences, of course, but the way people are treated here in England is the same as we do it at home."

All five have agreed two-year contracts with the PCT and the three who are married are looking to bring their families over to this country in the next few months.

Janet Hunter, chief executive of the PCT, said: "We know that there are problems recruiting GPs across south Essex and Thurrock PCT has come up with this innovative way of helping to solve the problem.

"The five GPs from Spain are here for at least two years and another - from eastern Europe - will be joining us before the year is out."