Locuming Made Simple Dr Manjit Purewal introduce myself how many want to be a locum

WHY LOCUMING? Why chose to be a locum - easier, more flexible hours. work when you want. get a taste of lots of practices.Find the right one for you. good source of money. What do you want form this session? What are your worst fears - small group discussion and then present

AIMS Gain Insight into preparatory work necessary to become a locum How to enjoy locum work Gain insight on financial issues and record keeping These should meet what we have just discussed. Any others?

OBJECTIVES Decide whether locuming is really for you Be aware of steps required to start as a locum Know what administration work is involved and how to keep on top of it This what we shiould aim to get out of this session - and feel more confident about

Objectives (2) Have an idea how to recruit an accountant, keep records for the tax man. Be aware of other financial issues e.g. income protection Be aware of pitfalls common to locums sow acetate of flow diagram

PREPARATION Start early Where/what/when/how? Supplementary list Paperwork If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail. most important thing. small group discussion - use flip chart to get them to present - open discussion. Start early - at least 6 weeks. get all your VTR's together. get JCPTGP cert. Contact WYCSA - for supplementary list forms - they take a long time over it. make sure all forms have same name on - ie middle initial should be on all if on one of them. they will ask for references so let your referees know SHOW SUPLLEMENTARY FORM

Preparation (2) National Association of Non -Principals PCT list Make sure you have all the necessary equipment. CV and contacting surgeries NANP - good source of information. Supportive. Costs to join - tax deductable. Local groups as well. often have regular meetings (PGEA). WYCSA or your PCT will ahve locum list - get on it as early as possible. Also get list of surgeries ffrom them. Equipment - mobile phone, diary, answering machine Write to all the ones you want to with CV - show acetate with sample covering letter and CV.

C.V. Keep it short precise information what lists are you included in - minor surgery, child health,obstetric list CLEAR CONTACT DETAILS Ask them what they think should be in their CV and discuss accordingly Keep it brief

Booking an Appointment When/how long for? How many patients/visits? Admin. work/other clinics On-call Details of surgery Get confirmation in writing this is to be shown after role play - RM to be practice manager and i will comment. then show slide

ON THE DAY Where are things How does the system/service run Basic essentials Taking and returning FP10’s/MED3’s Being on call Locum pack? Fairly obvious - just opemn up discussion. Similar to first day of registrat job Computer system. how to refer. Prescription pads, med 3s. emergency drugs appointment system - special clinics asthma ,wart panic button chaperones Loo/tea/coffee Good practice will ahve locum pack - not many do

RECORD KEEPING Discuss with your accountant Keep all receipts - you can never have too many! Set time aside for this each week - makes sending out invoices a lot easier KEEP ON TOP OF IT . Labourious and very difficult to do. bits of paper ever where. Receipts- petrol, stationary use computer or buy an accountantcs book everything has to be kept for 7 years - can be investigated by tax amn at anytime

INVOICES Keep them simple Use computer or visit a stationary shop be precise about what you have done make sure the figures are clear Remember if it looks messy or complicated then your payment maybe delayed. hand out 3 invoices a,b, c - one hand written - very bad, other computer generated - too little information or too much, third is right. Discuss merits of each one

FEES You must have a base to start from learn the art of negotiation speak to other locums ask the practice manager what they normally pay Ask them what they ought to be charging for 2hrs, a session, a full day. They are all right Show acetate of recommended BMA rates - from 1999 . Since then BMA are no longer according to dept of trade and industry to recommend a fixed level of fees as is anti competitive. Negiotate Claiming mileage - you can charge practice for mileage or keep petrol receipts and claim petrol and car use back from tax man - easier! Need to keep a mileage log book - 1/12 is enough - check with accountant

TAX Find an accountant and discuss Set up a savings account Save about 1/3 of your monthly earnings. Don’t touch it until after tax bill is received! Payments are twice a year (Jan & July) no lnonger PAYE - whast does this mean. Tax bill twice a year after sending in tax return. Accouintant to do it - lots of things to consider eg office at home, car, equipment, costs of accountant. First year is low - as some tax already paid whilst registrar orSHO. tax is calculated by amount you earn (1/3). 2 nd year if say earnt £60,000 then first return in jan will be around £6,000, whilts that in july may be £12,000. they take so much for this year and also a contribution towards the following year. remember when paying tax next year it will be for this years work. Very complicated. Show acetate of how to find accountant

TAX(2) Don’t be fooled by low tax returns in first year. National Insurance contributions Pension PAY TAX ON TIME - otherwise you will be fined and charged interest! NI contributions - you are now schedule D - low payments - monthly by direct debit

Other Finances NHS Superannuation scheme - filling in of form A & B and sending it in. Income protection Pension - this is not taxable. Show forms a & B obtained from website. - in hand out see financial advisor - no money if off sik so need to protect this

OTHER THINGS Equipment needed Long term locums Locum agencies keep numbers of other locums Personal Development equipment -medial bag - sypgh, stethoc, diagnostic set - get them - all tax dedeucatble. emergency drugs - what do you feel you need - see local pharmacist and get very small supply Long term locum - eholiday entitlement. Although not employee have same status Often asked if you are not free do you know of naybody else be awre of you r education needs - courses etc - pay for them yourself - claim back from tax man

POTENTIAL PITFALLS Isolation Abuse by practices Getting the right balance Looking after your needs being poorly organised NOT BEING ABLE TO SAY NO

ENJOYING IT Talk to colleagues Knowing what your own limitations are Being able to say no when inundated with work Good way of finding the right practice for you in the future