LIFE AS A LOCUM

Dr Ajay SharmaHolmfirth

Why Locum?

• Explore different practices and areas• Gain skills and experience while finding

the ideal job/practice• Flexibility (childcare etc)• Income source if nothing sorted before

completion

•Preparation for locum work

1

•Finding work and tips for locum work

2

•Managing finances (invoice, taxes and pensions)

3

What will we cover today?

Preparation for locum work

• Start organising well before completion of training

• Look out for emails/flyers for locum work• Documents before starting work• CCT• GMC GP Register inclusion• NHS England Performers list inclusion• MDU/MPS subscription• CV focused on locuming

Preparation for locum work

• Get Equipped and organised• Doctor Bag • Mileage log book• Smartphone / Diary• Sat nav /A to Z• Business card• Be readily available on phone and email

• Financial stuff• Self Employed / Limited company• Accountant• Income Protection• Bank Account/Cheque book/Pay in slips• Pension forms/paying into NHS pension

CV

• Keep it short• Essential information• GMC Number• Performers list inclusion• Contact details• Smartcard number

• Clinical systems used• Other information like CHS / DFFP• Referees

Finding Work• Send CV with cover letter to practices in target area• Emails

• VTS Coordinator• Practice manager• Colleagues

• Locum GP chambers• BMJ careers / GP magazine• Locum Agencies• Networking

• YPG meeting / social networks• Website for locums (e.g., www.gpnetworks.co.uk;

www.networklocum.com)

• Be available on phone/email easily• Other opportunities as freelance

• Working as medic for film crew (www.locationmedical.com)

Tips 1 – Booking work

• Establish details of work• Date/timings/length of session/consultation

times/no of patients• Clinical system used• Visits/Admin work/On call• Rates

• Get confirmation in writing and acknowledge booking it

• Book work in diary/calendar immediately

Tips 2– Locum Rates

• Talk to Practice manager/Trainer/Other locums to know local rates

• Establish your rate• Hourly rate• Sessional rate• Day rate• Extra work – visits/on call/admin etc

• Develop negotiation skills

Tips 3– 1st day of work• Locum Pack• Common stuff like • Med3 & Investigation forms• Letter heads/Dictaphone/tapes

• Computer / clinical system login details

• Few phone numbers• Reception/Admin/Practice manager

• Patient/Staff toilets• Tea/Coffee room• Fire alarms/exits• Panic alarms/button

Getting Paid• Invoicing• Allow 1 working week for processing• Computerised• Clear details of the sessions/ work

done, amount to be paid, bank account details

• BACS/Cheque payments• Software like PennyPerfect• Pension forms• GP Locum A form

Management• Set time aside for managing your

locum practice• Invoicing• Collate GP Locum A forms• Complete GP locum form B• Pension contribution• Keep all documentation organised for

tax and pension purpose– Subscriptions, expenses for locum work

etc

Paying Taxes• Gross payments• Set aside 35-40% for tax purposes• Pay NI contributions by direct debit• Record of all business expenses (original

receipts)• Keep Mileage logs• Accountant

CPD/Revalidation

• MAGMAF form / RCGP Revalidation eportfolio (free for paying members)

• Reflective log of educational events/courses/meetings

• Significant events/Audits/complaints/MSF/PSQ• Appraisal• Book courses/education events in your calendar

to avoid clashing with session bookings

Holidays

• Book well in advance• De stress yourselves• Quietest times – after Easter, November and

January

Pitfalls of Locuming

• Isolation• Appraisal difficulties– Patient feedback– Peer reviews/MSF– Audits– Prescribing data

• PCT communication –? likely to improve

• No Sickness/maternity benefits

Useful Links

• Register as Self Employed– www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/iwtregi

ster-as-self-employed.htm

• NHS Pensions – GP Locums– www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions/2665.asp

x

• National Association of Sessional GPs– www.nasgp.org.uk

• Penny Perfect software– www.pennyperfect.co.uk