A locum doctor is a fully qualified medical professional who works on a temporary basis, filling short- term gaps in hospitals, GP practices, or private healthcare settings across the UK.

Locum work offers:

• Flexibility to choose when and where you work
• Competitive pay rates
• Exposure to different clinical environments
• Better work-life balance
• Opportunity to gain varied experience across the NHS and private sector
• Are locum doctors employed or self-employed?
  Most locum doctors work as self-employed contractors or through limited companies, although some roles may be offered via PAYE depending on the placement and agency.

You must have:
Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise
Right to work in the UK
Relevant qualifications and experience
Up-to-date compliance documents (DBS, immunisations, references, etc.)

Yes. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to work in most healthcare settings in the UK.

Typical requirements include:

• GMC registration
• DBS certificate
• Occupational health clearance
• Mandatory training certificates
• References covering recent employment
• Proof of identity and right to work
• GMC Revalidation & Appraisal

Revalidation is the process set by the General Medical Council to confirm that doctors remain fit to practise. It takes place every five years and is based on annual appraisals and supporting evidence.

Yes. All licensed doctors in the UK, including locum doctors, must participate in revalidation.

A designated body is the organisation that oversees your revalidation. As a locum doctor, this could
be:

• An NHS organisation
• A locum agency
• Another approved body
• You must be connected to one to revalidate.

A Responsible Officer is a senior doctor within your designated body who:
Reviews your appraisal outcomes
Ensures you meet GMC requirements
Makes a recommendation to the GMC about your revalidation

You must complete one appraisal every year as part of the 5-year revalidation cycle.

How much do locum doctors earn?
Rates vary depending on specialty, grade, and location. Locum work typically offers higher hourly rates than permanent roles due to flexibility and demand.

Payment schedules vary by agency, but most locum doctors are paid weekly or monthly, depending on timesheet submission and contract terms.

Yes. You must have appropriate medical indemnity cover in place for all locum work.

We provide:

• Access to a wide range of locum roles across the UK
• Support with compliance and documentation
• Guidance on GMC revalidation and appraisal
• Help identifying your designated body
• Ongoing career support and communication

Yes. We support you in:

• Preparing for annual appraisals
• Maintaining your appraisal portfolio
• Understanding GMC requirements
• Staying on track with revalidation timelines
• How do I register with Prime Healthcare Staffing?

Simply get in touch with our team, and we’ll guide you through a quick and straight forward registration process.

• Keep a digital portfolio of all documents
• Update your records regularly
• Save feedback after each placement
• Track your CPD activities consistently
• What should I do between assignments?

Use this time to:

• Complete CPD activities
• Prepare for appraisal
• Update compliance documents
• Plan upcoming work