top ten riSKS
top ten risks
for locum Gps
the risks locum gps meet day-to-day are different
from the risk sink of the nHs – Dr Judith Harvey
identifies the top ten
p
ractices have to a professional approach locums the extra
provide safe working is followed. for instance, time they need
environments for all submitting a nasgp booking to practise safely in a
their staff, but the structures form outlining the job to be strange environment.
they create are designed with done, insisting on signed a doctor under time
their permanent staff in mind. contracts with practices and pressure is more likely
locums need to be aware of ensuring that the practice to make mistakes.
this and manage their own has adequate protection to Solution – explain the
risks from day one. the top cover your own liabilities. realities of being a locum to
ten risks to be wary of are: the practice manager: a safe Solution – good clinical
2) lack of information locum may need longer to notes are essential for safe
1) Misplaced assumptions it’s amazing how many consult than the partners. handovers and information
practices often have practices think a locum transfer between gps. to
unrealistic expectations of is born knowing that they 4) professional isolation ensure that urgent cases
locum gps, and locums can hold a venesection session locums spend a lot of time are reviewed, worrying
be over-optimistic about between 2pm and 4pm on on their own. it is easy to results followed up, and
how practices will treat alternate thursdays. not let continued professional referrals made, develop a
them. false assumptions knowing how to get even development slip. it can checklist and hand over,
about hours, duties and simple things done is not be hard to stay in touch not just by word of mouth,
payment frequently taint just frustrating, it affects the with important information, but by paper and electronic
the relationship. practices quality of care a locum can eg, how many locums means. You may take longer
expect different things from deliver. information about received the swine flu to consult new patients
locum gps, and likewise practice-based services cascades? locums can than the partners and you
locum gps expect certain and secondary care and become paranoid about may find that you write
things from practices. support services outside the way colleagues treat longer notes, but this will
Solution – Both parties the surgery is essential to them, and have no idea safeguard your practice.
need to work together to deliver the best care. what to do about it. develop your own systems
foster realistic expectations Solution – a locum Solution – there are and safety checklist to follow
and develop a shared information pack. But more than 90 sessional gp before each handover.
understanding of how to someone has to create it support groups, so there
work together effectively. and keep it up to date. insist should be one near you. 6) new patient,
realistically, it is up to that practices recognise Join. share clinical and new doctors
locums to demonstrate their responsibility to reduce practical problems, and to you, every patient is
what being professional enforced underperformance. gain from the wisdom and likely to be a new patient,
means. this will require the draw their attention to the backup of doctors who especially when you’re
locum gp in particular to be standardised induction pack understand what being called at short notice, eg,
proactive in ensuring that developed by Mps and the a locum is all about. and when a partner is sick.
M nasgp. and encourage lobby your pco about their receptionists don’t know
o
.
c
locum colleagues to help role in supporting locums. locums either: this could
t
o
o each other by sharing create a situation that does
H
p
K information. 5) transfers of information not engender confidence.
c
t
o
and handovers Solution – send, or take a
l
/
i
s
3) time the next doctor the patient written profile with a picture,
e
l
n pressure sees will be someone else. containing information on
n
o
d
practices and a locum isn’t there to your training, experience and
o
K
s
want a job done, check that urgent action background, to the practice
and rarely allow has been carried out. – to introduce yourself.
20 sessional gp | voluMe 1 | 2009 www.mps.org.uk
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