Knowledgebase

Setting GP locum session rates: how much to charge

Hourly and sessional charges, terms to consider, and BMA advice on rate-setting for GP locums.

GP locum checklist

Jiya Liz Peter developed a practical checklist that helps streamline common processes, making the experience seamless for all involved.

What can GPs do to reduce the incidence of suicide?

Dr Emma Davies, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, highlights key considerations for GP locums on this complex issue

GPs and the new Cause of Death certification forms

Dr Emma Davies, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, breaks down the new death certification reforms and what they mean for GP locums

Patient follow-up request form for GP locums – download

Try using this form to flag up to reception when a patient really needs review.

QIA – Practice prescribing system proforma

This template helps practices explain the steps in their prescribing systems so that visiting GPs can make informed, safe prescribing decisions.

Risk management

Five ways to keep locuming well during quiet periods of work

Our LocumDeck forums and closed Facebook group have also fielded concerns from GPs, particularly those new to locuming, about how to weather this quiet period for work. Our quick five-step guide has you covered.

Working as a GP

Standardised Practice Information Portal

As of July 2024, NASGP’s Spip resource has been archived. In the event that we update and restore Spip, we will update the website with new information.

How to supervise physician associates: tips for GP locums

Dr Heidi Mounsey, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, provides some helpful advice for GP locums to consider as they supervise or manage physician associates

Podcast: GP locuming in New Zealand with Dr Jennie Ferrie

In this episode, Dr Ferrie shares her journey from the UK to New Zealand, detailing the nuances of GP locum work in rural areas, the challenges of adapting to a different healthcare system, and the lifestyle benefits of living in New Zealand.

Video: Dr Varun Anand – adult obesity and weight management

Dr Varun Anand gives a webinar on adult obesity and weight management in general practice.

The Sessional GP Magazine June 2024

The June issue of the newly-redesigned Sessional GP Magazine has advice from MPS on the new death certificates and from specialist independent financial advisors on getting insurance when you work as a GP locum. NASGP member Dr Louise Hudman has summarised the latest Nice advice on ovarian cancer, and we've also covered the latest news that affects sessional GPs.

Breaking bad news to patients: a sessional GP’s guide

Dr Sabira Hughes and Dr Priyanka Saigal, Medicolegal Consultants at Medical Protection, describe situations when GP locums might be required to break bad news, why it is important to be good at breaking bad news, the consequences of getting it right or wrong, and frameworks GP locums can use to break bad news.

GP locums and ‘Fit to Participate’ forms

Requests for fitness to participate statements can put GP locums in a difficult situation and you may feel pressured to complete forms and sign declarations. However, it is important that you only make statements and sign forms that are honest and truthful, and you should always act in the best interests of your patients’ health.

GP locum CV Builder

Get a fresh new CV in minutes with NASGP's free tool for members.

Working as a GP

GP locum reference request form

Our tool helps produce PDFs of references that you can upload, send to or share with practice managers to let them know other practice managers' experience of working with you.

Working as a GP

As a GP locum, do I need long-term sickness insurance cover?

Are all income protection policies the same? The blunt answer is a most definite “no”.

Q&A: Dr Kath Speller, portfolio GP and community sub-dean

A portfolio GP Locum and Community Sub-Dean for Peninsula Medical School in Somerset, Dr Speller explains how she started locuming, how she built up her portfolio and her tips for starting out as a locums or portfolio GP.

Acknowledging mistakes confidently as a GP locum

Talking to patients when something goes wrong is a skill that will constantly develop throughout your clinical career, but it can be more challenging to have these conversations as GP locums because of the limited time to establish a relationship with the patient.

Risk management

Video: Starting out with GP locum accounts

Adrian Cousens, director of RSM UK, presented a half-hour event with a Q&A for NASGP on 5 October.

GP locums: reducing the risk of criminal allegations

Medical Protection regularly sees allegations of sexual assault or misconduct arising from patient encounters. Dr Emma Davies, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at why this can happen to a GP locum and how these issues can be managed.

Clinical webinars and CPD: NASGP’s best-read resources 2023

Read NASGP's top 10 best-read GP resources for 2023.

Working as a GP

NASGP survey 2023: flexibility, insecurity, community

Five key findings from our November 2023 survey of nearly 800 members.

Sessional GPs’ role in parental disagreements

In some cases involving children, a sessional GP will be faced with a scenario involving requests for a child’s medical records from separated parents. Dr Heidi Mounsey, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, sets out some underlying principles that are usually applicable to most cases.

Starting out as a salaried GP

Frequently-asked questions about practice, paperwork and training as a salaried GP.

Referrals: how GP locums can minimise risks

Dr Rachel Birch highlights risks a GP locum can face in the referral process

Remote working from overseas as a GP locum – MPS advice

Dr Sarah Townley, deputy medical director at Medical Protection Society (MPS) advises: 'All GMC registered doctors should be aware of and abide by the GMC Remote Prescribing high level principles if providing services from abroad.'

Significant event analysis for GP locums

SEA can provide valuable learning and sharing of information. However, this may not always be the case for GP locums: Dr Emma Green, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection explains why.

Risk management

2023 NASGP career survey: results in full

We received 91 responses to our 2023 GP survey from 21 April to 30 May, and these are those results in full.

GP safeguarding spreadsheet resource – Dr Rob Howlett

Try Dr Howlett's resource for recording learning.

Starting out as a GP locum

Our well-read and up-to-date advice on how GP locums find and manage work.

Discussing colleagues – advice for GP locums

It is likely that remarks made flippantly about your colleague may carry more weight in the eyes of a patient, given they are coming from a trustworthy professional.

How LocumDeck’s Instant Book benefits GPs and practices

Discover how Instant Book users on LocumDeck are earning an impressive 12% more on average than their non-Instant Book peers, and how this powerful tool is revolutionising the GP locum market.

GP locums

Q&A: Dr Julian Treadwell, project lead, GP Evidence

Dr Julian Treadwell has just launched a new website, GP Evidence (gpevidence.org/), developed to make the scientific evidence underpinning guideline-recommended treatments easier to access and understand for practising GPs.

A risky business: medicolegal pitfalls in general practice

A recent lecture on the medicolegal processes that can arise after an adverse clinical incident by Dr Sabira Hughes, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection.

Risk management

Video: Improv skills in GP

Dr Waqar Ahmed presented NASGP’s January event, the first in our series of monthly clinical events for 2023.

What do GP locums need to know about enhanced access?

Dr Priyanka Saigal and Dr Dee Traue, Medicolegal Consultants at Medical Protection Society (MPS), explain the Enhanced Access Programme.

Risk management

Video: Self-employed GP locum accounting

An accountant advises how tax and NIC works for self-employed GPs.

Video: Solution-focused approaches in general practice

NASGP runs lunchtime clinical talks on the first Thursdays on the month. See our news section to sign up for the latest events.

Confidentiality in remote work: advice for GP locums

Julie Baylis, case manager, and Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant, both at Medical Protection, consider two scenarios.

Working as a GP

Conversations around weight – advice for GP locums

Conversations around a patient’s weight can be challenging, especially for locum GPs who may not have met the patient before. Sinead Lay, Case Manager, and Dr Rachel Birch, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, discuss this sensitive issue.

Offering patients records access

In just under two months on 1 November 2022, patients with online accounts, such as through the NHS App, will be able to read new entries in their health records

IT systems