Remote working
How it works
- The GP locum uses their own home computer, connected with an NHS smartcard.
- Includes full Emis and SystmOne, Docman, eConsult, path links and more.
- The practice needs to have its ‘virtualised environment’ activated; switched ‘on’ by default on Emis, needs TPP to activate it for SystmOne practices.
- Practices can fast-track any local GP locums to join our pool of remote locums.
- There is no cost to practices; the only cost is £11 per remote session, paid by the GP locum.
Unless fast-tracked by a practice, we have temporarily limited new applications from GPs for remote work to those GPs who are able to bring on board a practice.
- GPs: add yourself to NASGP’s Remote Digital Locum Chambers waiting list.
- TPP SystmOne practices: by default, your access to ‘virtualised environments’ is turned off. Ask TPP to turn it on, and we can add you too.
- Emis practices: login to LocumDeck and accept a few quick settings.
- Patients must be triaged by a local practice-based GP as being suitable for a telephone consultation.
- Practices upload their locum induction pack into LocumDeck so that locums have as much insight as possible into the practice’s unique systems and processes.
- We ask practices to provide a mechanism for the locum to ‘check in’ and ‘check out’ with a practice-based GP prior to and following each session.
- We ask practices to provide GPs with access to a hotline to the practice in the event an urgent problem arises.
- This service is currently aimed primarily at practices that are struggling to recruit GP locums due to geographical or demographic reasons (e.g. remote, rural, coastal, island, deprived, inner city).
- We expect NASGP members to join the area’s local GP Locum Chambers wherever possible so that they can join in the shared support provided by NASGP Locum Chambers.
- We ask NASGP members to provide constructive feedback and share best practice wherever possible to help practices improve services.
How we support our remote GP locums
- Patients must be triaged by a local practice-based GP as being suitable for a telephone consultation.
- Practices upload their locum induction pack into LocumDeck so that locums have as much insight as possible into the practice’s unique systems and processes.
- We ask practices to provide a mechanism for the locum to ‘check in’ and ‘check out’ with a practice-based GP prior to and following each session.
- We ask practices to provide GPs with access to a hotline to the practice in the event an urgent problem arises.
How we support the GP practices we work with
- This service is currently aimed primarily at practices that are struggling to recruit GP locums due to geographical or demographic reasons (e.g. remote, rural, coastal, island, deprived, inner city).
- We expect NASGP members to join the area’s local GP Locum Chambers wherever possible so that they can join in the shared support provided by NASGP Locum Chambers.
- We ask NASGP members to provide constructive feedback and share best practice wherever possible to help practices improve services.
Remote locum sessions: GP FAQs
What equipment will I need?
All you need is
- Your own PC or Mac
- A £15 smart card reader
- Stable home wifi connection
We’ll email you a full technical guide as soon as you’ve successfully registered.
What software do I need?
All you need to do is to download and install Microsoft Remote Desktop.
You do not need to install Emis, SystmOne or any other software onto your PC or Mac.
We’ll email you a full technical guide as soon as you’ve successfully registered.
What rates do GP locums charge for remote sessions?
As you’re a self-employed independent GP locum, you must determine your own rate for locum sessions.
Because everything is done via Instant Book, LocumDeck automatically compiles all your invoicing and NHS Pension information. LocumDeck gets you ready to invoice the practice at the end of each month.
How much does it cost to book remote GP locum sessions on LocumDeck?
All sessions performed remotely through LocumDeck are subject to a remote session fee of £11.
If you carry out a remote session that is Instant Booked you will only be charged the £11 remote session fee.
NASGP membership starts at £12 a month, and is free for the first three months.
How are phone calls managed during remote GP locum sessions?
What advice do you have available for remote GP locums?
After registration we provide a handbook as well as full technical guides.
Do I need special medical indemnity for remote GP locum session?
Here are some links to indemnity providers about cover for remote GP locums:
More advice on remote GP working from the GMC.
What GPs are saying about NASGP’s Remote Digital Locum Chambers
- “Remote working has massively improved my work life balance. It’s so much easier to see my children more. I have been amazed at how I am able to still feel part of the practice team. I have received positive feedback from patients and staff. From patients I’ve even been sent flowers and the practice sent me a Christmas gift, both of which were really touching! I feel like I’m making a difference albeit from afar whilst simultaneously being more present for my family.”
- “The support from the NASGP team throughout the project is excellent, with regular communication and peer meetings to allow discussion and sharing of experiences. During the course of the trial improvements were made to GPintheCloud software based on GP feedback.”
- “I’ve been a GP for 15 years. Working remotely has made a huge difference to how I enjoy being a GP and added a whole new string to my bow. I’m probably now working, on average, an extra day a week as a GP. I’ve discussed this with the partners where I do most of my remote work, and they feel the same: like I’m their rearguard, so I do a really good remote job of helping patients who need to speak to a GP, often quickly, who really don’t need a face-to-face or have a long term condition, which then gives the local GPs at the practice lots more time to see the patients who definitely need to see them face-to-face. And as a parent, it’s just so convenient for me to fit in between school runs. LocumDeck has totally revolutionised everything else about GP locum work too. I’m gobsmacked that more practices aren’t using it.”
- “This is a highly innovative project which has provided invaluable support to practices at a time when they struggled to recruit face-to-face GPs due to various reasons including Covid-19, geographical area and nationwide GP shortages.”
- “I feel that as a clinically vulnerable doctor, remote working since January 2021 has enabled me to offer safe effective care to patients whilst also being safe myself. I have been able to offer my skills as a senior GP in regards to reducing prescribed opiates, and also efficient telephone consultations with small numbers of patients needing face-to-face appointments.”
- “Positive experience: practices have been impressed and patients have given positive feedback.”
- “Brilliant idea and well-supported in integration.”
- “It’s life-changing! A variety of practices, different locations, easy access and all in the comfort of my own office.”
- “Better work-life balance and work satisfaction.”
- “Working remotely has proven to be very helpful with my work-life balance.”
- “Use of LocumDeck has been an easy process, setting my availability for days of the week I choose to work. Reduced admin time is brilliant, as I don’t have to waste my time with excessive paperwork.”
- “Overall it’s been a great experience!”
Our partners
NHS Devon ICS is the organisation responsible for planning, commissioning (or buying) and developing healthcare services for the 1.2 million people who live here. Our mission is to work together to commission the right services to improve the lives of those who live in Devon.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS)
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS) is a partnership of NHS and local government organisations working together to improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities. It is one of the largest health and care systems in the country with a long history of working in partnership to make lives better. The ICS has been created to better join up hospital and community services, physical and mental health services and health and social care. As a system, we take collective responsibility for managing resources, delivering care and improving the health of the population we serve.
GPitC is a service developed based on user feedback which enables GP locums to support GP practices from anywhere in the country, crucial during the coronavirus pandemic – a solution to the challenge of GP distribution across the country.