How valuing locum GPs can maximise their benefit to the NHS

<p><strong>If you do locum GP work </strong><a href="https://surveys.haymarket.com/s3/Locum-rates-survey-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>complete our annual survey on GP locum rates here</strong></a><strong> - </strong>https://surveys.haymarket.com/s3/Locum-rates-survey-2025 - <strong>you will be entered into a prize draw to win £250 of John Lewis vouchers.</strong></p><br><p>Is the NHS making best use of the locum GP workforce and how is the current crisis in the GP jobs market affecting locum GPs?</p><br><p>This week Dr Richard Fieldhouse, chair of the National Association of Sessional GPs (NASGP), speaks to Emma about all things related to locum GPs.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Around a third of GPs in England are not currently working in substantive posts in GP practices and many of these doctors will be working as locums.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Richard set up the NASGP in 1998 to provide support to locum GPs and lobby policymakers on issues specific to locums. In this interview he explains how the current jobs market is affecting locum GPs and the rates they are receiving for work, what the NHS could do to make better use of locums and the value locums bring to general practice.</p><br><p>He also talks about why being a locum is still a good career choice and offers some advice for GPs starting out as locums and for practices on how they can get the best from their locum GPs.</p><br><p>This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.</p><br><p><strong>Useful links</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nasgp.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Association of Sessional GPs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gponline.com/gp-job-shortage-forces-locums-cut-fees-private-work/article/1898170" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GP job shortage forces locums to cut fees and take on private work</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gponline.com/create-gp-portfolio-career/article/1895860" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to create a GP portfolio career</a></li><li><a href="https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/comparing-the-clinical-practice-and-prescribing-safety-of-locum-a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manchester University research Richard mentions in the podcast</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gponline.com/becoming-gp-locum-setting-rates/article/1794136" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Becoming a GP locum: Setting your rates</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gponline.com/becoming-gp-locum-setting-terms/article/1794137" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Becoming a GP locum: Setting your terms</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gponline.com/becoming-gp-locum-invoicing-expenses/article/1794145" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Becoming a GP locum: Invoicing and expenses</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>If you do locum GP work </strong><a href="https://surveys.haymarket.com/s3/Locum-rates-survey-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>complete our annual survey on GP locum rates here</strong></a><strong> - </strong>https://surveys.haymarket.com/s3/Locum-rates-survey-2025 –<strong> you will be entered into a prize draw to win £250 of John Lewis vouchers.</strong></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>