Locum work is particularly important in rural and remote areas, and areas affected by staff shortages. In the past, Senior Doctors would often choose locum employment as a way of ‘easing into retirement’. However, nowadays, doctors of all ages and stages of their career are choosing to work in locum employment and find it provides many benefits including:

• flexibility and work-life balance

• financial incentives

• variety and travel

• skill development and specialisation

• exposure to different healthcare settings

Junior Doctors (FY 1-2) have completed their undergraduate medical degree and attained Provisional Registration with the General Medical Council (GMC). They need to complete foundation training, which is facilitated by postgraduate medical education organisations and consists of several rotations in hospitals and primary care settings, in different medical and surgical specialties. Foundation Training Programs act as a ‘bridge' from Medical School to Specialist training, allowing Junior Doctors to develop essential clinical and non-clinical skills and take on more responsibility for patient care in a safe and supervised environment. They are exposed to different medical specialties so they can build a better understanding of the specialty training they want to pursue in the future. After successful completion of the first year of training (FY1), Junior Doctors are eligible to apply for General Registration to continue their FY2, which further develops core skills, independence in clinical practice, and leadership within the health care team.