A locum’s shift starts before they walk in: Key lessons for safe practice
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At The Pharmacy Show, Locate a Locum CEO Jonathon Clarke joined Shilpa Shah, CEO of Community Pharmacy North East London, to tackle a pressing challenge in community pharmacy: how to keep dispensary shifts running safely, smoothly, and effectively amidst growing workforce constraints.
Recent NHS England workforce data reveals a 10% decrease in community pharmacists alongside lower staffing ratios per branch, even as clinical expectations under Pharmacy First and vaccination services expand. In this environment, locum pharmacists frequently arrive on site as the sole clinician, working with a dispensary team whose local operational rhythms they do not yet know.
Thorough preparation bridges that gap, keeping demanding shifts from escalating into clinical bottlenecks.
The Four Avoidable Friction Points
Contractor roundtables and locum feedback highlighted four recurring issues that routinely derail a shift:
- Missing Operational Details: Unshared alarm codes, locked controlled drugs cabinets, or misplaced SOPs and Responsible Pharmacist registers.
- Unclear Clinical Priorities: Unannounced walk-in clinics, heavy Pharmacy First referral backlogs, or uncommunicated service targets.
- System Barriers: Expired PMR logins, missing 5F Smartcard role profiles, or inaccessible NHS shared mailboxes containing urgent MHRA recalls.
- No Escalation Routes: Lack of direct contact details for superintendent pharmacists, owners, or local GP bypass lines when high-risk queries arise.
A Two-Way Framework: Before, During, and After
Effective shift governance relies on proactive collaboration from both the pharmacy contractor and the visiting locum:
1. Before: Clarify Expectations Early
- For Pharmacies: Send logistical essentials 48 hours prior - operating hours, expected prescription volume, the PMR system in use, and notice of any planned audits or clinics.
- For Locums: Check in 48 hours in advance to confirm rotas and verify that your clinical service accreditations (such as flu jabs or Pharmacy First) align with scheduled clinic bookings.
2. During: The First 10 Minutes Set the Tone
- For Pharmacies: Introduce the team, agree on day-to-day priorities, clarify dispensary roles, and assign a dedicated shift buddy to support the locum.
- For Locums: Connect with the lead technician or team immediately on arrival. Your clinical accountability leads the day, but experienced dispensary staff hold the practical operational knowledge.
3. After: Five Minutes for a Clear Handover
- For Locums: Document outstanding tasks, owings, pending return visits, and key clinical interventions on the PMR so the next clinician is never left guessing.
- For Pharmacies: Review completed CD registers and pending scripts together, wrapping up with a two-minute debrief focusing on constructive, two-way feedback.
What This Means for Your Next Shift
If You’re an Owner or Pharmacy Manager: Eliminate repetitive morning onboarding delays. Shifts posted on Locate a Locum automatically display your PMR type and service accreditation requirements so applicants arrive fully prepared. Learn How Locate a Locum Works for Pharmacies
If You’re a Locum: Stop guessing dispensary software setups or missing critical safety notices on arrival. Every Locate a Locum shift listing specifies the active PMR system before you book. Real-time MHRA drug recall alerts are delivered straight to your phone so you never miss a patient safety update, and our compliance team is on hand to help you verify your 5F Smartcard profile. Download the Locate a Locum App
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