Life as a locum

1. Life as a locum Dr Ajay Sharma Holmfirth

2. 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

3. What will we cover today?

4. 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

5. 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

6. CV • Keep it short • Essential information • GMC Number • Performers list inclusion • Contact details • Smartcard number • Clinical systems used • Other information like CHS / DFFP • Referees

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. Tips 3– 1stday 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. Pitfalls of Locuming • Isolation • Appraisal difficulties • Patient feedback • Peer reviews/MSF • Audits • Prescribing data • PCT communication –? likely to improve • No Sickness/maternity benefits

17. Useful Links • Register as Self Employed • www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/iwtregister-as-self-employed.htm • NHS Pensions – GP Locums • www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions/2665.aspx • National Association of Sessional GPs • www.nasgp.org.uk • Penny Perfect software • www.pennyperfect.co.uk