Episode 59: If You Can’t Recruit a GP, Listen to This with Claire Ponsford from Wavelength Medical Recruitment

Scale My Clinic

Recruiting doctors isn't just hard. It’s an art form. And if you’re feeling like the whole game is stacked against you, you’re not alone. From the outside, it can feel like every great GP is already taken. But what if recruitment wasn’t a panic response but a built-in strength of your practice?

In this episode, we dive deep with Claire Ponsford, Co-Founder and Director at Wavelength International, to get a front-row seat to what actually works in doctor recruitment (and what quietly drives them away). If you want to scale without scrambling for locums or bleeding staff through the back door, this one’s for you.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to shift in your approach to become a practice that attracts (and keeps) quality GPs.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• Strategies thriving clinics use to stand out and build a steady pipeline of candidates (02:17)
• How leading practices think beyond the contract and into culture fit (04:19)
• What factors tip the decision for most doctors when choosing a clinic, and how your practice can stand out, even in a tough location (09:28)
• Why great GPs stay 3+ years and why loyalty isn’t built with contracts, but culture (16:02)
• Tips on what to do between offer and arrival, and why the first 2 weeks matter more than you think (20:05)
• How to prep your clinic for international hires and build a smoother transition process (28:30)

Being seen, staying proactive, and building authentic relationships — that’s how clinics scale their team sustainably. Tune in and rethink your recruitment strategy through the lens of what truly works.

Listen now to make recruitment your superpower, not your sore spot.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode talking about The $750K Misdiagnosis That’s Quietly Killing Your Practice Dream, go back and check out Episode 58.

ABOUT CLAIRE PONSFORD

Claire is co-founder and owner of Wavelength International. With a proud 25-year history, Wavelength has one of the largest and longest-standing medical recruitment teams in Australia, offering both permanent and locum recruitment services in all specialties and seniorities. Claire is also a shareholder and Board Director in an Australian telehealth business.

With a background in Health Sector Human Resources management and medical workforce planning in both the UK and Australia, Claire is passionate about sourcing, attracting, onboarding and retaining talent. Having grown Wavelength from two to 100 staff, she also has first-hand experience of some of the challenges of hiring for growth and the benefits of choosing the right people to join your team.

WHERE TO FIND CLAIRE PONSFORD

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-ponsford/
• Website: https://wave.com.au/

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