What every pharmacy owner should know about when to hire, what to look for and how to make the experience smooth for your team and patients.
Why Locums Matter in Today’s Pharmacy Landscape
Running a pharmacy means dealing with the unexpected. A team member calls in sick, another goes on holiday and you’re already short-handed because someone just handed in their notice. At the same time, you might be launching new services or managing rising demand from patients.
In situations like these, having access to a reliable locum pharmacist can make your life a lot easier. Locums are more than just a safety net. They help you stay operational, meet service expectations and give your core team the breathing room they need to do their best work.
Knowing when to bring in a locum and how to make the process smooth is a valuable part of running any pharmacy.
What Is a Locum Pharmacist? (And What They’re Not)
A locum pharmacist is a self-employed professional who steps in temporarily to cover shifts or support your team during busy periods. Some are looking for flexible work, others build full-time careers by moving between pharmacies.
There is sometimes a perception that locums are just short-term gap fillers. In reality, many are highly experienced and can adapt quickly to new systems and settings. A good locum keeps the pharmacy moving, supports patient care and helps avoid disruption.
When and Why You Might Need a Locum
Most pharmacy owners will need locum support at some point. The key is to plan for it before you find yourself short-staffed. Some common situations include:
- Annual leave or holiday cover
- Sickness or unexpected absence
- Maternity or paternity leave
- Delays in recruitment or onboarding
- Busy seasonal periods, such as flu season or summer travel
- Launching new services or running private clinics
- Opening a second location or extending your hours
A well-timed locum hire can help you maintain service levels, avoid burnout among your team and keep patient care consistent.
How Much Does a Locum Pharmacist Cost?
Rates vary depending on location, shift type and urgency. As a general guide, expect to pay from £30 per hour, with higher rates for weekends, evenings, or last-minute bookings. Some locums may also ask for travel expenses, especially if they are travelling long distances.
While the hourly cost may be higher than salaried staff, locums offer flexibility when you need it most. The cost of not having cover in place can be far greater in lost revenue or missed services.
What to Look For in a Locum Pharmacist
Make Sure They Are Properly Registered
All locums must be GPhC registered, with up-to-date insurance and right-to-work documentation.
Look For Relevant Experience
Someone who has worked in similar settings will usually get up to speed faster. If your pharmacy focuses on services like travel clinics or private consultations, look for locums who are comfortable in those environments.
Check Their Confidence With Digital Systems
Most pharmacies now rely on digital tools for prescription management, bookings and patient communication. Whether it is your PMR system or platforms like Healthera, your locum should feel comfortable using the same tools your team relies on.
If your pharmacy uses Healthera, the support team is available to provide onboarding guidance for new users. This can be a helpful way to get a locum up to speed quickly without placing extra demands on your team.
Pay Attention to Communication and Initiative
Locums often work without much direct supervision. They need to ask the right questions early, follow instructions clearly and make decisions when needed. Good communication helps everything run more smoothly.
Always Ask for References
CVs with lots of short-term placements or unexplained gaps are worth a closer look. Always ask for references and check them if you are planning to bring someone in for more than a single shift.
Where to Find the Right Locums
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a good locum. Most pharmacy owners build a mix of trusted contacts and go-to platforms over time.
Some of the more popular options include:
- Locate a Locum: A national platform for advertising shifts and managing bookings.
- Locum Prime: Known for quick response times and broad coverage.
- Pharm-Assist: A growing network with many locums active in local WhatsApp or Telegram groups.
- Word of mouth: Colleagues and pharmacy contacts can often recommend reliable locums.
The smoother your setup, the quicker a locum can get started and contribute. Using a platform like Healthera gives them immediate access to appointments, orders and patient communications, all in one place. Having these systems in place before they arrive helps your team stay organised and reduces the time spent onboarding.
Tips for Working With Locums Effectively
Hiring a locum is just the first step. How you prepare for their arrival can make a big difference to how smoothly things run for them and for your team.
Here are some simple but effective ways to set your locums up for success:
Prepare a Short Handover Document
Even a single page can be enough to help them feel prepared. Include:
- Where to find key items such as the controlled drugs register, delivery log, or SOP folder.
- Login details and instructions for your PMR system and any additional platforms.
- A quick overview of service protocols, especially for flu jabs, NHS checks, or private clinics.
- What to do if a dispensing issue, service query, or complaint comes up.
- Who to speak to for support if they need help during the shift.
This saves time, prevents confusion and allows the locum to get started with more confidence.
Keep Your Digital Tools in Order
If you use platforms like Healthera to manage prescriptions, bookings and patient messages, make sure everything is up to date before the shift begins. Clean data and accurate scheduling reduce the number of questions and help the locum stay focused on the work.
If the locum hasn’t used Healthera before, they can contact our support team for guidance. This helps them feel comfortable using the system and reduces pressure on your staff to train them during the shift.
Make Time for a Quick Walkthrough
It doesn’t have to be formal, but having someone spend five to ten minutes walking through the systems and layout of the pharmacy makes a big difference. Show them how your team normally handles repeat orders, services and any regular patient interactions.
Even experienced locums benefit from this kind of orientation. It helps them align with your usual workflow and reduces the chance of disruption.
Assign a Clear Point of Contact
If something comes up during the shift, the locum should know exactly who to speak to. This prevents delays, avoids guesswork and helps resolve issues quickly and quietly.
Follow Up After the Shift
A quick check-in at the end of the day or week can tell you a lot. Ask how they found the systems, if anything was unclear and whether they had the tools they needed. If it was a good fit, keep their details on file for future shifts.
Over time, building a small pool of trusted, repeat locums means less time spent sourcing cover and a smoother experience for your pharmacy team.
Final Thoughts
Locum pharmacists are an important part of keeping your pharmacy running smoothly when your regular team is unavailable or under pressure.
Hiring the right locum at the right time helps protect patient care, reduce pressure on your team and support your business during busy or uncertain periods.
With a bit of planning, the process does not need to be difficult. Use the tools available to you, build a list of trusted contacts and make sure locums have the support they need to succeed.
If you are already using Healthera to manage services, prescriptions, or clinics, you are in a strong position to bring in locums with minimal disruption.
