1. Starting Locum Work as a New GP
by Dr Matthew Beddoe & Dr Surina Chibber

2. Questions?

3. Hello!

4. Portfolio GP
Finished VTS 2 years ago, sitting where you are now
Decisions on what kind of career I wanted to create
Flexibility, financial considerations, new skills I wanted to develop two years on 1) health tech/entrepreneurship, education and writing
In the beginning I decided to start my career as a locum but it was difficult to know how to start
Common pitfalls practice hadn’t paid, job has been cancelled last minute, also had to prepare for my tax return
Record of all these quesitons and pitfalls that i navigated
I found my locum admin built up tried different approaches but I use my phone like you all for everything from s to internet banking and I wanted a similar solution for my locum work so I decided to explore my interest in health tech and create a solution
I tried other options but like many of you I use my phone for s, booking jobs, internet banking and I needed to help save me time and money
Co-founded MyLocumManager
Resources to help anyone wanting to get started
this was my first health tech venture and I have now become in two others. One is improving access to mental health which I am working on collaborating with NHSE with.
The other is a cardiovascular project for my local CCG
Teaching
Writing
I am loving my career and I am really excited about the future, learning so much and really passionate about the work I am doing

5. I qualified in 2011, and have taken on a variety of roles since then.
I started off working part time as a salaried doctor and topped it up with locuming. I’d really recommend this if you have the opportunity as it gave me some stability, but I was also able to see a variety of different practices and areas to find where I felt most at home.
I got some really good locum experience during this time, working both around the local area where I trained as people knew me there, but also doing some agency work.
The flexibility that this provided also gave me the time to pursue other interests. I got involved with the CCG improving physiotherapy services in the area, and also teaching.
Since then I have become a GP partner and also a GP trainer.
And alongside Surina, we have worked in the Health-Tech sector to create our website - MyLocumManager. We will show you how this can help you later on.

6. Overview Introduction Questions? Preparing for work
Finding work - Agency vs Independent
Setting pay rates
Managing your finances and MyLocumManager
Pension forms
Common work problems & solutions
Support

7. Preparing for work Up to date CV
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
GMC certificate
Performers list inclusion letter
Certificate of indemnity cover (MDU,MPS, MDDUS)
Valid DBS check
Immunisation record
References
Copy of passport
If you are planning to locum, there are a variety of documents that you need to have on hand for any prospective practice/locum agency.
Some of them can take a little while to get organised, I remember as soon as I qualified I was desperate to get out there and start work, but couldn't until I had sorted out my paperwork - so the key is to do everything you can in the run up to getting your CCT so its all good to go.
I’d recommend having this all scanned and stored on your computer, or even better, something like dropbox. This way, when you need it, you can easily just send all the relevant documents by on your phone.

8. Stethoscope Pulse oximeter Urine dipstick Glucometer Auroscope
Doctors Bag
There is great variability as to what equipment will be available to you when you arrive at a practice, therefore always be prepared.
What you need for a typical surgery and home visits. Useful items include:
Stethoscope
Pulse oximeter
Urine dipstick
Glucometer
Auroscope
Ophthalmoscope
Tongue depressors
Doppler
Thermometer
Peak flow meter
Urine pots
Lubricant
Tape measure
BP machine
Gloves
*Drugs

9. Finding Work Agency Vs Independant
Agency: large work volume, lower pay, less flexibility, Cannot contribute to NHS pension*
Independent: Varied work volume, more pay and more autonomy and flexibility
Locum Chambers
Commonly most locum GPs work independently then ‘top up’ with agency work during quiet periods

10. Key points for finding work:
-Contacting practices directly (
Contact training practices on your VTS
Local CCG (
Join the locum lists on your Local Medical Committee (
When you book work ensure both you and the practice are aware what the work will involve. Use a ‘terms & conditions of work’ agreement.

12. Key points for your work day
Arrive 15 minutes early
Introduce yourself to key staff
Ask for the locum pack
To ensure you are well prepared here is a useful checklist :
What is the extension number for reception?
Where is the panic button?
How do I call patients in?
How do I request blood tests and where are these done (on site or local hospital)
How do I order X-rays and Ultrasounds
How do I refer for physiotherapy and counselling
Where are MED3, MATB1 and maternity exemption forms kept
How do I create referrals
After Work
Invoice & Pension forms
Learning points
- Reflection & appraisal
END OF THE DAY
INVOICE
PENSION FORMS REFLECTION APPRAISAL

13. Setting Pay Rates Pay structure depends on:
Hourly Rate = 3 hour clinic (2.5hrs patients, 30min admin)
Whole day package = AM +PM (+HV, oncall, lunch)

14. Admin (review hospital letters, blood results) Sign scripts
Locum work involves:
Seeing patients
Home visits
Admin (review hospital letters, blood results)
Sign scripts
On-Calls (duty doctor)
Pre-booked Sessions:
Clinics usually last 2-3 hours
Should have 10 minute appointments
Extra time for signing scripts and admin
OnCall/Duty:
Half or whole day package
Patients + Admin + Telephone triage + HV
Remember:
Negotiate fairly with practices
It is usually expected that you complete your self-generated admin within your allocated session time.

15. Managing your admin Up to date diary Invoices Pension forms Expenses
Self-Assessment Tax*
When you are working as a hospital doc/registrar/salaried dr. Everything is done for you
your payslips come in with tax already deducted
your pension is sorted
When you work as a locum, you need to do all this yourself - it is imperative that you keep organised and on top of things.
This is easy to let fall by the wayside when you have so much clinical work to do:
I remember when I started, my diary keeping was definitely not what it should be and I ended up turning up to a practice on a Saturday morning ready to work and they had absolutely no idea who I was! So make sure you:
Have an up to date diary
Have a system to send and keep track of your invoices and payments

16. Pension Forms
Form A
Form B
GP SOLO

17. You cannot claim NHS Pension If you work as limited company
For work over 10 week ago
Agency work (exceptions are some online agencies)
For private work
How to contribute to nhs pension (1) invoice (2)PFs (3) cheque book
Invoice date,
your name and
the practice name
unique ref no.
summary of the work done and
amount you are invoiing for.
If you are pensioning your work (England and Wales) you need to add a sperate charge for the employers contribution this is 90% of your invoice
PENSION FORMS
FORM A
FORM B Solo
form A The purpose of this is to certify the work done at a practice and the amount you earned
Add the employers (practices contribution to your pension ) this is 90% of the invoice (you
form b Is a monthly summary which records all pensionable payments recieved in a given month. You generate the forms according to the date you were paid not the date you worked
you need to send off your pensioj forms to the PCO by thew 7th of the next month (within 10 weeks of being paid for the work)
If I worked in June and was paid in July I generate a pension form B for July
Form B contains the calculations for your employye contributions and the emplyer (practcie cotributions)
where to send forms Primary care organisation for your local area team.
cannot claim

18. Common Work Problems (and how to solve them)
Computer systems
Dealing with uncertainty
Cancellations
Late payments
Time management

19. Support GP Life after VTS Facebook group Mentoring TGG Facebook group
Other locum doctors
CCG/LMC Locum forums
RCGP First 5
To be notified of any locum events, advice or useful articles Like facebook page

20. Questions?