Transcript BEING A LOCUM - University of Dundee

Being a GP Locum
Dr Emma Wilson
GP Locum
What I do currently
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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
Pros
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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
Cons
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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
Challenges
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Different organisational practices
Blood tests/xrays/physio/ecgetc
Referrals
Computers, Coding and QOF
?Professional standing
Setting rates -“Cartel”
Getting started
Appraisal
Practicalities
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Getting started
Pension
Tax
Obtaining work
Organisation
First day
Getting started
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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
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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
[email protected] Ashludie hospital
Cannot work for a practice or OOH until on
performers list
Defence cover ?how many sessions
Doctors bag
Pension
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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
GP Locum Form A
GP Locum Form B
Tax & National Insurance
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Register as self-employed – tax reference
number
Accounts
Income
Expenses/subscriptions
Mileage
Keep receipts
Set aside monthly proportion (1/3)
Yearly tax return
?Accountant
Obtaining Work
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Independently
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CV Shoot
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Early July, short, accurate contact details,
GMC,MDU
Cold-calling
Advertisements
 Locum groups/performers lists
 Agencies –non pensionable (not
Scotland)
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OOH
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Fife OOH [email protected]
 Random emails with shifts for base or car in St
Andrews, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes
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Tayside OOH [email protected]
 Shifts go live approx 2 months in advance
….mad scramble
 Texts with last minute requests
Obtaining Work
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Check emails regularly
 Practices/OOH emails
 NHS.net on CV
 Some will phone
 Answer machine and mobile essential
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School holidays peak
 November-January quiet
 Don’t forget to take time off
Organisation
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Keep an accurate diary
 Paper/electronic/both
 Some practices write/email for confirmation
others don’t
 Consider invoicing
 I use a paper diary and have outlook on my
laptop (linked to phone)
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Check duties,pay,computer system
First Day
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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
Support and Information
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Tayside locum group [email protected]
NASGP www.nasgp.org.uk
LASGP www.lasgp.org.uk
Doctors.net forum
RCGP advice for sessional GP appraisal
NHS Pension Agency www.sppa.gov.uk
HM Revenue & customs
 helpline for the newly self employed 08459
154515
Finally
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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!!
Questions?