You need to be on the GMC’s GP register if you have not already done so.

• So there are two GMC registers you need to be on.  The General GMC register that every doctor needs to be on.   Then the GP GMC register for GPs.
• Click here for the GMC GP Register.

• Ring and tell them that you are now no longer a GP trainee.  
• They will want to know what you plan to do and how many sessions.   Locum?  Salaried?  Partner?

Ring your car insurance and tell them that your car is going to be both for personal and business use.

• DBS in England:  NHS SBS Greenwich, 8th Floor, 6 Mitre Passage, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0ER;  Tel: 0208 5363000; [email protected]
• Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland : usually done as part of the performers list application.
• Locum agenciess: if you plan to work for several locum agencies, beware – each one might ask you to go through a DBS check.  If this is the case, think about signing up to the annual DBS update service – currently only £13 per year.

• Occupational Health check certificate.   You will usually have to pay for this.   If you’re working for a locum agency – they should pay.  If a salaried post, hopefully the surgery might offer to pay.   Accredited Occupation Health Services can be found on the SEQOHS website.

Practices will want to see the following documents, so keep them together in a physical AND electronic file.  In this way you can show them in person or email beforehand.

1. Your identity  (Driving Licence or Passport)
2. Qualification certificates (Medical Degree, GMC registration, MRCGP CCT certificate)
3. Indemnity certificate
4. Performers List certificate  + DBS certificate
5. Occupational Health docs  (Hep B status in particular)

In order to practice as a GP in the UK you MUST be on the Performers List.  Basically it is a list to say you have been vetted and allowed to perform.   In England, Wales and NI, there is just the one National Performers List.  In Scotland, you have to apply to each Health Board you work in (yes, a pain in the bum!).

How to get on?

• Get your certificates together
  • • Medical degree certificate, GMC cert, CCT, GMC GP register 
    • Certifcates demonstrating level 3 safeguarding for both Adults & Children
    • Occupational Health check certificate.   
• Now fill in the Performers List Application Form. 
  
  • • Wales: Apply to join the Wales Performers List.
    • England:     Step 1 – Find your Area Team;       Step 2 – Apply to join the English Performers list.  By the way,  you can find the application form here. More information and full list of forms can be found on the England.NHS.UK site and on the Primary Care Support England (PCSE) website.
    • Northern Ireland: Apply to join the NI Performers list.
    • Scotland: apply to the relevant local health board (HB).  Great news: entry to one HB list also includes you on all other HB lists, so you can work across Scotland.
• Once you are on the Performers List, your “desginated body” will automatically enrol you and oversee your yearly appraisals and and subsequent Revalidation.

• How long your CV is depends on what you are applying for.
• If it is the odd locum here and there, then it should be a maximum of 2 sides of A4.  Remember, busy GPs and their Practice Managers don’t have time to read a 6 page thing and they get CVs all the time!
• However, if it is a more considerable post like a Salaried or Partnership, the practice will want to know more.  In which case, develop a CV which is fuller – perhaps 4-6 pages long. 
• Add something exciting about yourself in the “Personal Interests & Hobbies” and “Mission Statement” sections.   Stand out from the crowd.
• Get two up to date referrees.

• Work out an emergency list of drugs.   Click the doctor’s bag resources on this page to see a list.  
• Go to your local pharmacist and get a supply of emergency drugs.  Explain you are a locum.  They will tell you what you need to do.  
• Ensure you have all your other equipment
  • • Stethoscope, Pulse Oximeter, BP machine, Thermometer, , Ophthamoscope, Otoscope, Note headed paper
    • Click the doctor’s bag resources on this page to see a list.  

• Google Maps for android and iOS is fine.  Does the job.
• Download the TomTom app.
• If using your phone, don’t forget to buy a car mount – look them up on ebay or Amazon.
• Or buy a specific sat nav device (which is usually unnecessary these days).
• Of course, you may not need one at all if your car has a good sat nav, but in my opinion, most are a bit clunky and painful to use.

• Ask you own practice if they have anything going?
• Your local scheme may be advertising jobs on their websites
• www.bradfordvtsjobs.co.uk
• Adverts in BMJ, Pulse and GP