Locuming Made Simple

by Dr Manjit Purewalby Dr Manjit Purewal

Updated by Dr Lynsey Fielden, 2007Updated by Dr Lynsey Fielden, 2007

WHY LOCUMING?WHY LOCUMING?

AimsAims

Gain insight into preparation Gain insight into preparation needed to become a successful needed to become a successful locumlocum

Gain insight on financial issues and Gain insight on financial issues and record-keepingrecord-keeping

How to enjoy locum workHow to enjoy locum work

ObjectivesObjectives

Decide whether locuming is really Decide whether locuming is really for youfor you

Be aware of steps required to set Be aware of steps required to set up as a locumup as a locum

Know what administration work is Know what administration work is involved and how to keep on top of involved and how to keep on top of itit

Objectives (2)Objectives (2)

Have an idea how to recruit an Have an idea how to recruit an accountant, keep records for the tax accountant, keep records for the tax manman

Be aware of other financial issues e.g. Be aware of other financial issues e.g. income protectionincome protection

Be aware of pitfalls common to locumsBe aware of pitfalls common to locums

SUMMARY OF LOCUMINGSUMMARY OF LOCUMING

PREPARATION/CVPREPARATION/CV

MAKING CONTACTMAKING CONTACT

BOOKINGBOOKING

ON THE DAY (doing the job)ON THE DAY (doing the job)

INVOICINGINVOICING

OTHER THINGSOTHER THINGSEquipmentEquipmentAccountantAccountant

Tax & financesTax & financesLeaveLeave

PreparationPreparation Start earlyStart early

Define where/what/when?Define where/what/when?

Performers’ list Performers’ list

Supplementary lists ?still existSupplementary lists ?still exist

Documents & PaperworkDocuments & Paperwork

Preparation (2)Preparation (2)

WYCSA/PCT locum listWYCSA/PCT locum list CV and contacting surgeries CV and contacting surgeries Inland revenueInland revenue EquipmentEquipment National Association of Non-National Association of Non-

Principals (NANP) & other locumsPrincipals (NANP) & other locums

C.V.C.V.

Keep it shortKeep it short

Precise informationPrecise information

What lists are you included in - minor What lists are you included in - minor surgery, child health, obstetric listsurgery, child health, obstetric list

RefereesReferees CLEAR CONTACT DETAILSCLEAR CONTACT DETAILS

Booking WorkBooking Work

When/how long for?When/how long for? Computer systemComputer system How many patients/visits?How many patients/visits? Admin. work/other clinics Admin. work/other clinics On-callOn-call Details of surgeries, e.g. start times, breaksDetails of surgeries, e.g. start times, breaks FeesFees Get confirmation in writingGet confirmation in writing

On the dayOn the day

Locum pack? Locum pack? Basic essentials, e.g. computer Basic essentials, e.g. computer Locating equipment/formsLocating equipment/forms FP10’s/MED3’s/etc. FP10’s/MED3’s/etc. How does the system/service runHow does the system/service run Delegation Delegation On-call sessionsOn-call sessions Say ‘no’ if appropriateSay ‘no’ if appropriate

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Discuss with your accountantDiscuss with your accountant Keep all receipts Keep all receipts Set time aside for this each Set time aside for this each

week/month - makes sending out week/month - makes sending out invoices a lot easierinvoices a lot easier

KEEP ON TOP OF ITKEEP ON TOP OF IT

InvoicesInvoices

Keep them simple & headedKeep them simple & headed Use computer Use computer Be precise about what you have Be precise about what you have

done done Make sure the figures are clearMake sure the figures are clear Remember if it looks messy or Remember if it looks messy or

complicated then your payment complicated then your payment may be delayedmay be delayed

FeesFees

You must have a base to start fromYou must have a base to start from Speak to other locumsSpeak to other locums Ask the practice manager what Ask the practice manager what

they normally paythey normally pay Vary rates e.g. for surgery only, Vary rates e.g. for surgery only,

on-calls, etc. on-calls, etc. OR hourly/sessional rateOR hourly/sessional rate

Learn the art of negotiationLearn the art of negotiation

RECOMMENDED LOCUM RECOMMENDED LOCUM RATESRATES

The Office of Fair Trading ruled The Office of Fair Trading ruled BMA-suggested locum rates anti-BMA-suggested locum rates anti-competitive in 1999.competitive in 1999.

Locums and Practices must Locums and Practices must negotiate rates.negotiate rates.

((Medeconomics August 2004)Medeconomics August 2004)

TaxTax

Find an accountant and discussFind an accountant and discuss Set up a (high interest) savings Set up a (high interest) savings

accountaccount Save about 1/3 of your monthly Save about 1/3 of your monthly

earningsearnings Don’t touch it until after you receive Don’t touch it until after you receive

your tax bill!your tax bill! Make payments twice a year Make payments twice a year

(Jan & July)(Jan & July)

USEFUL WEB ADDRESSESUSEFUL WEB ADDRESSES

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales: England & Wales: www.icaew.co.ukwww.icaew.co.uk

NHS Pensions: NHS Pensions: www.nhspa.gov.ukwww.nhspa.gov.uk

National Association of Non National Association of Non Principals:Principals:

www.Nanp.org.ukwww.Nanp.org.uk

Tax (2)Tax (2)

Don’t be fooled by low tax returns Don’t be fooled by low tax returns in first yearin first year

PAY TAX ON TIMEPAY TAX ON TIME (31 (31stst Jan Jan deadline) - otherwise you will be deadline) - otherwise you will be fined and charged interest!fined and charged interest!

Other FinancesOther Finances

National Insurance – class II & IIINational Insurance – class II & III

‘‘NHS Superannuation scheme’ - NHS Superannuation scheme’ - filling in of Locum form A & B and filling in of Locum form A & B and submitting with pension contributionsubmitting with pension contribution

Income protectionIncome protection

ExtrasExtras

Equipment neededEquipment needed Expenses Expenses Long-term locumsLong-term locums Locum agenciesLocum agencies Cancellation policyCancellation policy Details of other locumsDetails of other locums Continuing Personal DevelopmentContinuing Personal Development AppraisalAppraisal

POTENTIAL PITFALLSPOTENTIAL PITFALLS

Being poorly organised Being poorly organised Abuse by practicesAbuse by practices Income - unpaid leaveIncome - unpaid leave

- hidden costs- hidden costs CPD CPD IsolationIsolation NOT BEING ABLE TO SAY NONOT BEING ABLE TO SAY NO

ENJOYING IT!ENJOYING IT!

Good preparationGood preparation Own bossOwn boss Flexible – leave, working patternsFlexible – leave, working patterns Income Income Gain insight into workings of different Gain insight into workings of different

practicespractices Good way of finding the right practice Good way of finding the right practice

for you in the future - networkingfor you in the future - networking

Locuming Made SimpleLocuming Made Simple

Preparation is keyPreparation is key

Finances & record-keepingFinances & record-keeping

ENJOYABLE!ENJOYABLE!