I moved to Powys 17 years ago, and shortly afterwards I began working in Primary Care. I work at a surgery 22 miles away from my home (through choice). My commute to work is stress-free and stunning. When I arrive at work I am part of an innovative, progressive team who are forever looking for ways to improve patient care. Living and working in Powys is not without its challenges e.g. few public transport options. But if you think that working in Powys will be ‘behind the times’ then think again. It’s the perfect place to be for work-life balance.

My husband, two children and I moved to Powys from the Cotswolds 15 years ago. The opportunities for us all have been exceptional: good education and plenty of activities on our doorstep, be that visiting the beach, playing sport, sailing or climbing mountains. There’s something for all, young and old! I work in a small team as a practice nurse, offering a wide range of services to our local community. Yes, we can sometimes be under pressure, but we all do our job to the best of our ability and maintain high levels of patient care. The rewards are many, a friendly community, great colleagues and truly beautiful area; I look out of the surgery window and see hills and lambs playing in the fields. I cannot imagine myself working anywhere else and I often tell my patients ‘I have the best job in the world'.

I came to Powys to live and work in a rural community. While in medical school, I did a work placement in a rural GP practice in Powys. I enjoyed it so much I returned to that practice and now I am a partner there! The pace of life in Powys is much more relaxed compared with that of friends who live and work in a city. I watch lambs play in the field when eating my breakfast, enjoy a traffic free commute to work, and then after work, in the quiet of the evening, go climbing in the Brecon Beacons. Oh, and my husband found a job here too!

Moving from a busy city to an area like Powys was daunting at first, but the people are so welcoming and friendly that I soon felt at home. There is also more to do in Powys than you might think! The community spirit is strong wherever you go and having joined a local choir and gym soon after arriving, integrating is very easy. Driving to work on country roads and admiring the glorious views rather than looking at skyscrapers, what more is there to say?

Having moved to Powys in September 2017 for a rural GP role, I can honestly say I have not once regretted the decision. Rural general practice offers interesting diversity and stimulating challenges and on the whole, general practice here feels more of a personal service rather than a stressed, time pressured, endurance challenge that urban practice so often is. Powys is a beautiful part of the world and has so much to offer. I often think ‘why doesn’t everyone live here?’. I feel like I’ve been let in on a secret and I love it.

I am a qualified dentist working in Powys. I am surrounded by beautiful countryside which I have the privilege of admiring as I drive to work each day. In my spare time there are so many opportunities for walking and exploring the area. Being in such a close-knit community, I enjoy the good relationships I’ve developed with patients, many of whom have been with the practice for years. Generally, the pace of life is so relaxed, something which is reflected in the patients who are always very appreciative and friendly.

I'm a community pharmacist living in Llandrindod Wells but working in North Powys. My wife and I moved to Powys to live and work nearly 20 years ago and now have two teenage children. We have a smallholding and thoroughly enjoy and embrace our rural lifestyle. There are many benefits to the way we live and work, including the perfect”environment in which to raise our children.

Having moved to Powys in September 2017 for a rural GP role, I can honestly say I have not once regretted the decision. Rural general practice offers interesting diversity and stimulating challenges and on the whole, general practice here feels more of a personal service rather than a stressed, time pressured, endurance challenge that urban practice so often is. Powys is a beautiful part of the world and has so much to offer. I often think ‘why doesn’t everyone live here?’. I f”eel like I’ve been let in on a secret and I love it.

In terms of my role, it’s changed dramatically over those 30 years. In Powys, we’ve been given the chance to shape general practice in our own style, within the broader NHS. We’ve moved from a purely doctor-led service to a modest-sized organisation, working with all kinds of talented people. We’re a growing team with pharmacists and physios set to join. What’s really special is how we share skills – even our receptionists develop new skills like triage and telemedicine. It is going to continue to be a fascinating job.

One thing I would say to a doctor considering life as a rural GP is how wonderful rural life is. It’s good for me, and I enjoy the fresh air and being able to do simple things like go home for lunch. To me, the biggest advantage to rural general practice is being able to provide holistic and personal care: you see people right from birth, through their school years and all the generations of their family. That’s very rewarding.

I took to the place straight away. Like all of Powys the countryside is beautiful. Small lively towns, each with their own character, are spread throughout the county. It is a lovely place to bring up children, with good schools, facilities and, of course, medical services. And it’s a wonderful place to call home. Every day I can just lift my eyes to the beautiful hills, walk on quiet paths away from traffic – even a brief wait on a patient’s doorstep is an opportunity to savour this special place.

I’ve experienced a huge range of unique opportunities in Wales. First off, we have strong links to the local universities and protected training opportunities. Recently, I was asked to be diabetes lead and I was provided with a university diploma course and study leave to bring my skills up to speed. This is just one example of how we’re supported. In short, the ability to build a portfolio career, or to just be a good family doctor, is all here.

I noticed how different the people were compared to my previous placement. Patients were more engaged and open, not just about their health but life in general. It reminded me of the old-fashioned GPs who cared for a single family throughout their lives. Morning surgeries featured a waiting room full of people. All of them would be chatting away, catching up on the latest news and teasing unsuspecting medical students whenever they could. It created a relaxed atmosphere that carried over into the consultations. I found myself more attentive and more connected to the people in my care.

One of the big advantages to me of being a rural GP is being part of the community we serve. I am a social sort of person – if I go shopping or to church, I will often see patients and have the opportunity to talk to them as friends. Not all GPs would enjoy that, but I find it incredibly rewarding. It’s all about communication with people and being part of the community. The great thing is that this carries over into my work, which makes it especially satisfying.