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

Consultants have completed all the training requirements relating to their medical specialty and are eligible for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and specialist registration with the GMC. Consultants lead teams of doctors, providing clinical oversight and responsibility for overall patient care. They work in the clinical environment, assessing patients directly, while also contributing to teaching, management, advocacy, research and administration. Substantive Consultant positions require Specialist Registration and are permanent roles with long-term job security. Locum Consultant roles do not require specialist registration and are temporary roles which provide senior clinical support and expertise within the hospital or clinic.