The benefits of being a Locum GP are far and wide, which include opportunities to travel to different cities and countries, experience different cultures and exposure to diverse communities enabling you to build connections all over the world. Locum doctors also earn an above-average salary which helps to restructure finances and give you more freedom in terms of your finances and responsibilities. 

Becoming a locum professional opens up a different dimension of working in your preferred location under conditions favourable to you. Added benefits of moving around, enhance people-based and social skills, leading to acquiring intangible assets of character building such as team leading, people management and quick responses and solutions to overcoming unusual problems.

In order to locum, you need to be a fully qualified doctor and registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), which validates your skills. Clinical experience of six months along with adherence to a compliance process of the institution of the country you are relocating to, are must-haves to qualify as a locum GP in the UK. 

If you are a general practitioner and are specifically looking at locum jobs within the UK, be assured that your pick is excellent. The UK is one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations with excellent schooling facilities, healthcare structure and a great quality of life. With its developed country status, the UK opens up a diverse range of job opportunities of which you can select your pick of the working conditions you have in mind. The UK has a diverse culture, allowing you to network with people of different origins whilst also finding your community to connect with. It has competitive job markets that can keep you on your toes as a professional and encourage you to up-skill and evolve with the job market trends. The adequate demand for health professionals keeps the average salary on the higher-end and sufficient job opportunities to help you find what exactly you are looking for. 

Some of the top locations to locum as a Doctor in the UK are as follows:

• London- the heart of the UK

Renowned for the residence of the royal family and as one of the world’s leading financial cities, London is also the capital of the UK. This city has numerous locum opportunities in the locum job industry for GPs.

The diversity of this city makes way for great exposure to different cultures along with excellent schools in the vicinity and well-paying locum and permanent job opportunities. However, the cost of living in the heart of the city may be a bit higher compared to other regions. But do not allow this to get in the way of your aspirations, as rent and living costs are lower in Greater London and suburbs and with the excellent high-way infrastructures and public transport services, the commute would not be a problem. 

The average annual Locum GP salary in London is £93,334.09

• Manchester- a sports capital

As London becomes too expensive, there is an urban migration towards Manchester which is a city famously known for its football team- Manchester United. General practitioners who are fans of football and locuming should seriously consider this location. As it offers a mix of football manias general practitioners can connect to along with a flourishing arts and music industry, locums can use this as an excellent escapade once in a while. 

The average annual Locum GP salary in North West is £101,137.43

• Liverpool- a growing city 

Home to around 500,000 residents and growing, the city’s demand for health professionals is rising along with its population. A good demand equates to good salary rates for general practitioner locums who can use this to their advantage and live in a location with a lower cost of living.

The average annual Locum GP salary in North West is £101,137.43

• Glasgow- embracing the Scottish lifestyle 

Glasgow is an ideal location to locum at due to its affordable housing, availability of recognised schools and universities for locum Doctorss who are either looking for a move with their family or a move which will also allow them to join a course at a university. Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and offers an above-the-par quality of life, access to entertainment such as art and music and ensures a constant demand for locums with favourable salary rates. Hence, with a perfect package of opportunities and convenient relocation in an urban setting, Glasgow can be your go-to option.

The average annual Locum GP salary in Scotland is £152,012.73

• Somerset- a scenic dwelling 

This is a promising location for career development as general practitioners for there you are opened up to flexible working hours, training and education. The rolling hill and stunning beaches along with the work flexibility allow locums GPs to focus on their family life too. Dr Jon Dolman shares his decision to move to Somerset for his mental well-being. With schools, parks and other forms of entertainment available in commuting distance, Somerset can provide a bustling Doctors’s professional life with the right amount of peace and quiet in the after hours.

The average annual Locum GP salary in South West is £163,242.86

• Cardiff- a turnkey solution

Home to world-class stadiums for various sporting events such as rugby, football, cricket and other ice sports, Cardiff located in Wales is a wonderful location if you are a GP and a sports fan. It is a tourist location rich with natural landscapes and infrastructure that provides for a peaceful and high-quality standard of life. Housing is affordable and diverse, with richly painted houses or vast mansions lining the streets. Access to NHS healthcare and schools along with flexible working opportunities present within this region is hard to resist if you are a general practitioner who wants the city life without its overbearing hubbub.

The average annual Locum GP salary in Cardiff is £117,650.00

Conclusion

The demand for doctors including general practitioners has been increasing with time, as more and more doctors are leaving full-time jobs for better flexibility, pay and mental well-being. The Covid-19 pandemic has also led to the burnout of a significant number of health professionals who are now looking for temporary respite. The combination of these factors has increased the demand for locum doctors, opening opportunities for Overseas Medical Graduates to experience a world-class job market and life in a developed country. 

Medfuture can help you narrow down the location of your choice in the UK even further, depending on your personal requirements and help you secure a job within the UK as a locum doctor, As a global recruitment agency, Medfuture ensures that locum GPs gain the opportunities they see fit for themselves and make their locum dreams a reality.

It is imperative to work with recognized recruitment agencies to ensure success and avoid disappointments and confusion. This saves valuable time, money and resources that can be better allocated, especially if you are a health professional saving lives by the day!

Contact Medfuture on +44 20 4538 7274 for free consultations or to inquire about available locum job vacancies.