life as a locum dr ajay sharma holmfirth. why locum? o explore different practices and areas o gain...
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Life As A LocumDr Ajay Sharma
Holmfirth
Why Locum?OExplore different practices and
areasOGain skills and experience while
finding the perfect job/prefect practice
OFlexibilityO Income source if nothing sorted
before completion
Preparation for locum work
O Start organising well before completion of training
O Look out for emails/flyers for locum workO Documents before starting work
O CCTO GP Register inclusionO PCT Performers list inclusionO ?LATS for NHS Commissioning boardO MDU/MPS subscriptionO 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
CVO Keep it shortO Essential information
O GMC NumberO PCT Performers list inclusionO Contact details
O Clinical systems usedO Other information like CHS / DFFPO Referees
Finding WorkO Emails
O VTS CoordinatorO Practice managerO Colleagues
O BMJ careers / GP magazineO Locum AgenciesO Send CV with cover letter to practices in
target areaO Networking
O YPG meeting / social networksO Website for locums (e.g., www.gpnetworks.co.uk)O Be available on phone/email easily
O Other opportunities as freelanceO Working as medic for film crew (www.locationmedical.com)
Booking workO Establish details of work
O Date/timings/length of session/consultation times/no of patients
O Clinical system usedO Visits/Admin work/On callO Rates
O Get confirmation in writing and acknowledge booking it
O Book work in diary/calendar immediately
Locum RatesO Talk to Practice
manager/Trainer/Other locums to know local rates
O Establish your rateO Hourly rateO Sessional rateO Day rateO Extra work – visits/on call/admin etc
O Negotiation skills
Tips for 1st day of workO Locum PackO Common stuff like
O Med3 & Investigation formsO Letter heads/Dictaphone/tapes
O Computer / clinical system login detailsO Few phone numbers
O Reception/Admin/Practice managerO Patient/Staff toiletsO Tea/Coffee roomO Fire alarms/exitsO Panic alarms/button
Getting PaidO Invoicing
O Last working weekO ComputerisedO Clear details of the sessions/ work done,
amount to be paid, bank account detailsO BACS/Cheque paymentsO Softwares like pennyperfectO Pension formsO GP Locum A form(? To be changed post
PCT demise)
• Locum pension – employer contribution change• From 1st 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
ManagementO Set time aside for managing your locum
practiceO InvoicingO Collate GP Locum A forms (may change post
PCT)O Complete GP locum form B (may change
post PCT)O Pension contributionO Keep all documentation organised for tax
and pension purpose
Paying TaxesO Gross paymentsO Set aside 35-40% for tax purposesO Pay NI contributions by direct debitO Record of all business expenses
(original receipts)O Keep Mileage logsO Accountant
CPD/RevalidationO MAG form / RCGP Revalidation eportfolio (free
for paying members)O Reflective log of educational
events/courses/meetingsO Significant events/Audits/complaints/MSF/PSQO AppraisalO Book courses/education events in your
calendar to avoid clashing with session bookings
HolidaysO Block days well in advanceO De-stress yourselves
Pitfalls of LocumingO IsolationO Appraisal difficulties
O Patient feedbackO Peer reviews/MSFO AuditsO Prescribing data
O PCT communication –? likely to improve
O No Sickness/maternity benefits
Useful LinksO Register as Self Employed
O www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/iwtregister-as-self-employed.htm
O NHS Pensions – GP LocumsO www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions/2665.aspx
O National Association of Sessional GPsO www.nasgp.org.uk
O Penny Perfect softwareO www.pennyperfect.co.uk
