Life As A Locum Dr Ajay Sharma Holmfirth

Why Locum? O Explore different practices and areas O Gain skills and experience while finding the perfect job/prefect practice O Flexibility O Income source if nothing sorted before completion

Preparation for locum work O Start organising well before completion of training O Look out for s/flyers for locum work O Documents before starting work O CCT O GP Register inclusion O PCT Performers list inclusion O ?LATS for NHS Commissioning board O MDU/MPS subscription O CV focused on locuming

Preparation for locum work  Get Equipped ◦ Doctor Bag ◦ Mileage log book ◦ Smartphone/PDA/Diary ◦ Sat nav /A to Z ◦ Business card  Financial stuff ◦ Self Employed / Limited company ◦ Accountant ◦ Income Protection ◦ Bank Account/Cheque book/Pay in slips ◦ Pension forms/paying into NHS pension

CV O Keep it short O Essential information O GMC Number O PCT Performers list inclusion O Contact details O Clinical systems used O Other information like CHS / DFFP O Referees

Finding Work O s O VTS Coordinator O Practice manager O Colleagues O BMJ careers / GP magazine O Locum Agencies O Send CV with cover letter to practices in target area O Networking O YPG meeting / social networks O Website for locums (e.g., O Be available on phone/ easily O Other opportunities as freelance O Working as medic for film crew (

Booking work O Establish details of work O Date/timings/length of session/consultation times/no of patients O Clinical system used O Visits/Admin work/On call O Rates O Get confirmation in writing and acknowledge booking it O Book work in diary/calendar immediately

Locum Rates O Talk to Practice manager/Trainer/Other locums to know local rates O Establish your rate O Hourly rate O Sessional rate O Day rate O Extra work – visits/on call/admin etc O Negotiation skills

Tips for 1 st day of work O Locum Pack O Common stuff like O Med3 & Investigation forms O Letter heads/Dictaphone/tapes O Computer / clinical system login details O Few phone numbers O Reception/Admin/Practice manager O Patient/Staff toilets O Tea/Coffee room O Fire alarms/exits O Panic alarms/button

Getting Paid O Invoicing O Last working week O Computerised O Clear details of the sessions/ work done, amount to be paid, bank account details O BACS/Cheque payments O Softwares like pennyperfect O Pension forms O GP Locum A form(? To be changed post PCT demise)

Locum pension – employer contribution change From 1 st April 2013 – practices pay employer contribution GMS practices get payment into global sum based on list size. Plans not clear about PMS practices What it means for practices and locums Avg practice gets £1500 pa Amounts to avg 8-10 days of superannuation for locums Practices likely to reduce use of locums or pay low rates or use agency employed locums BMA lobbying with govt to defer the change for 12 months. New NHS & Locuming

Management O Set time aside for managing your locum practice O Invoicing O Collate GP Locum A forms (may change post PCT) O Complete GP locum form B (may change post PCT) O Pension contribution O Keep all documentation organised for tax and pension purpose

Paying Taxes O Gross payments O Set aside 35-40% for tax purposes O Pay NI contributions by direct debit O Record of all business expenses (original receipts) O Keep Mileage logs O Accountant

CPD/Revalidation O MAG form / RCGP Revalidation eportfolio (free for paying members) O Reflective log of educational events/courses/meetings O Significant events/Audits/complaints/MSF/PSQ O Appraisal O Book courses/education events in your calendar to avoid clashing with session bookings

Holidays O Block days well in advance O De-stress yourselves

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

Useful Links O Register as Self Employed O self-employed.htm self-employed.htm O NHS Pensions – GP Locums O O National Association of Sessional GPs O O Penny Perfect software O