How to Find Locum Work as a Doctor in the UK

Can any UK doctor do locum work?

Any doctor with a current GMC licence to practise can do locum work in the UK, provided they have the appropriate compliance documents in place. There is no minimum experience requirement, though most agencies prefer doctors with at least 6–12 months of post-foundation experience before taking on locum positions.

Step 1: Check your compliance documents

Before you can start locum work, you need a complete compliance pack. Make sure you have:

• Current GMC certificate (check your licence is active at gmc-uk.org)
• Enhanced DBS check (within 3 years, or subscribed to the Update Service)
• Right to Work documents
• Professional indemnity insurance (MDU, MPS, or MDDUS)
• Occupational health clearance
• Up-to-date CV with no unexplained gaps

Quiet Medical's compliance passport lets you upload and manage all of these in one place, then share them with any agency in seconds.

Step 2: Register with locum agencies

Locum agencies act as the intermediary between you and NHS trusts or private hospitals. Most locum doctors register with 3–6 agencies to maximise shift availability. When choosing agencies, consider:

• Do they specialise in your specialty?
• Do they cover the regions where you want to work?
• What are their payment terms?
• Do they have a good reputation with doctors?

Quiet Medical automatically matches your profile to agencies that are actively recruiting in your specialty and location.

Step 3: Set your preferences

Once registered, tell agencies your preferences clearly:

• Specialties and grades you are willing to cover
• Geographic areas you can travel to
• Minimum notice you require for a shift
• Any dates you are not available

Step 4: Accept your first shift

When an agency contacts you with a shift, you will typically get the specialty, grade, location, date, and rate. Review these carefully before accepting. For your first few shifts at a new trust, be prepared to complete a local induction.

Which specialties have the most locum work?

The highest demand for locum doctors in the UK is typically in:

• Emergency Medicine
• General Practice
• Psychiatry
• Anaesthetics
• Acute Medicine / General Medicine
• Paediatrics

Should you work through PAYE or a limited company?

Many locum doctors work through a limited company (personal service company) for tax efficiency, though IR35 rules apply within the NHS. For most NHS locum shifts, you will be taxed as an employee (PAYE). Consult an accountant who specialises in medical professionals before setting up a limited company.