1. Being a GP Locum
Dr Emma Wilson
GP Locum

2. What I do currently Finished registrar year in Edinburgh August 2008
Locum sessions in Tayside, Fife, Forth Valley
OOH work Tayside and Fife
Medical Education Fellow 0.5 wte

3. Pros Independence, you choose when & where
Ability to work in variety practices
More clinical, less paperwork
Self employed benefits
Still able to contribute towards NHS Pension scheme
Can mix with special interest
Good introduction into general practice outside your training practice
Home is your base. Tax back for all self employed work related journeys, Portion of mortgage if you use a study partly for work.

4. Cons Inconsistency of work. “Quiet periods” Lack of employee benefits
Lonely
Limited control of working conditions (but can protect by terms and conditions)
Payment delays
Keeping accounts

5. Challenges Different organisational practices
Blood tests/xrays/physio/ecgetc
Referrals
Computers, Coding and QOF
?Professional standing
Setting rates -“Cartel”
Getting started
Appraisal

6. Practicalities Getting started Pension Tax Obtaining work Organisation
First day

7. Getting started August comes around quickly
Most are already registered with RCGP as AiTs
Pay £700 to PMETB
Apply for CCT through e-portfolio as soon as ARCP signed off
PMETB send confirmation to GMC
Your CCT should arrive before the 1st August (6 weeks)
GMC updates registration up to 2 weeks before
PMETB write to you
E-portfolio – message on home page to electronic sign your agreement to ARCP panel descision. Then apply CCT button under AKT/CSA result page (progress to certification)

8. Need GMC GP registration AND CCT to be added to the performers list
Decide on host performers list and contact primary care services for an application form
Select to be added to other areas in Scotland
Ashludie hospital
Cannot work for a practice or OOH until on performers list
Defence cover ?how many sessions
Doctors bag
GMC – call to check that PMETB have sent CCT. Ask when this will go on-line as this can be printed. Paper certificate will follow.
Recommend asking if you can complete and return the application form well in advance as they need signed references. Then send or hand deliver your CCT when it arrives. They will just call/check GMC website.
England – performers list for each region.

9. Pension Can be superannuated as a locum Get forms from www.sppa.gov.uk
For every practice ask them to fill in superannuation form A
End of month fill in superannuation form B and send it off with a cheque and form As to:
Practitioner Services Division Bridge View 1 North Esplanade west Aberdeen AB11 5QF
Must be there by 7th of the month (max 10wks)
NHS pay employers contribution so worth doing
Practitioner services – depending on host performer list
Keep photocopies of form Bs

10. GP Locum Form A

11. GP Locum Form B

12. Tax & National Insurance
Register as self-employed – tax reference number
Accounts Income
Expenses/subscriptions
Mileage
Keep receipts
Set aside monthly proportion (1/3)
Yearly tax return
?Accountant
Consider getting accountant
Spread sheet

13. Obtaining Work Independently Advertisements
CV Shoot
Early July, short, accurate contact details, GMC,MDU
Cold-calling
Advertisements
Locum groups/performers lists
Agencies –non pensionable (not Scotland)

14. OOH Fife OOH JoyceKelly@fifepct.scot.nhs.uk
Random s with shifts for base or car in St Andrews, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes
Tayside OOH
Shifts go live approx 2 months in advance ….mad scramble
Texts with last minute requests
Tayside interview

15. Obtaining Work Check emails regularly Practices/OOH emails
NHS.net on CV
Some will phone
Answer machine and mobile essential
School holidays peak
November-January quiet
Don’t forget to take time off

16. Organisation Keep an accurate diary Paper/electronic/both
Some practices write/ for confirmation others don’t
Consider invoicing
I use a paper diary and have outlook on my laptop (linked to phone)
Check duties,pay,computer system
Ultimately you are self employed so you charge what you think your work is worth. (esp if being offered long term locums)
Rate setting is illegal. Fixing makes it difficult to ever get a pay rise. However without some guide the risk is out-bidding locums driving prices down.
Tayside – the chairman of locum group s practices to tell them his personal rates. Practices use this as a guide as to what to offer and will not therefore be expecting to pay less.
Half day – 195 – 170. full day –

17. First Day
Always take GMC and medical defence certificate (CCT) to every new practice
Practice will keep copy for next time
Copy Form A
Arrive on time
Locum pack
Px pad, Med3, dictaphone, how to get bloods, any self referal services, toilets, coffee room, write in notes/computer, outside line, reception
Memory stick/ certificates
Computer systems – may have to go for training

18. Support and Information
Tayside locum group
NASGP
LASGP
Doctors.net forum
RCGP advice for sessional GP appraisal
NHS Pension Agency
HM Revenue & customs
helpline for the newly self employed
Or start your own small study/support group
RCGP for sessional GP appraisal advice

19. Finally DON’T PANIC! Work will start to come in
GPs will always take holidays/get sick/get pregnant/go on courses
Good opportunity to take time off and recover from registrar year
Enjoy different practices
NO EXAMS!!

20. Questions?