Day in the life of a DOCTOR (Locum GP) in the UK | How Busy Is It?

Lets look at an average day in the life of a locum general practioner (GP) in the UK. I am currently working as an NHS Locum GP (Family Medicine Doctor) and I rememeber back in medical school as a 3rd medical student I had a GP placement but I didn't really have a great grasp of the working day of a GP or what the different roles are like. A locum is a freelance or portfolio GP filling in where there are staff shortages/maternity leave etc.
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I normally start around 08:45 picking up urgent tasks and have my morning clinic at 9am. Each clinic is called a "session" and usually runs for 3 hours - 4 hours. Doctors often see around 15 patients per session but this can be more or less depending on where you work. Some surgeries do as many as 20 patients per session and others around 12. Each consultation lasts 10 minutes - thats calling the patient, listening to their main concern, dealing with it and making a management plan and writing it up!
After the morning surgery, there is a little time for some paper work - so blood results need actioning, prescription requests and documentation to file and read. Alot of these are done by GP partners and salaried GPs and depending on your contract you may also help out with these as a locum GP. There is also a home visit or two to fit in before the afternoon surgery.
The afternoon surgery can vary in time but mine starts at 14:30 to give me time for the above. I normally finish 18:00 - 18:30. I wanted to more break down the working day and chat about the challenges than do a complete vlog, so I've tried to do a half and half here.
#lifeofadoctor #doctorvlog #generalpractice
0:00 - Start
0:20 - Wake up
1:07 - Morning GP Clinic (15 patients/10 minute consultations)
1:34 - Admin post Clinic - Bloods/Letters/ Prescriptions
2:48 - Afternoon GP Clinic
3:53 - Is general practice a 9-5 job?
5:11 - My working week as a Locum GP
5:26 - RCA Buddy for GP trainees
6:19 - Tips for New GPs/GP trainees/ Junior doctors
DISCLAIMER: This video and content on this channel are not for personal medical advice. These are for educational use only and please consult your own physician.
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[@addylemon6815]

Good stuff keeping it real man. I dropped out of medicine to pursue a business I began during my PGY years and was about to do GP because of the idea it was "9-5 and chill" but I think at that stage I was far gone from my medical career. Good to give people a realistic idea of what medicine is because it really isn't for everyone.

[@doctorkhalid]

Awesome, I have to say if I didnt do medicine i would have gone down the business route myself. How has it been and how does it compare to med skl?

[@addylemon6815]

@@doctorkhalid My story is a little different, I taught myself investment banking and started a private equity firm two years ago which I basically run by myself. I noticed I might have picked the wrong profession during PGY1 (the actual doctor working year unlike medical school which is not a reflection of what the job really is) and always had an interest in equity markets. Never intended to make a career out of it but I spent every dollar I made on the business (I should point out I'm in Australia so we get paid well during PGY1) . I haven't had to do any formal business programme at uni or an MBA and plan not to but we will see. It's interesting detatching from medicine though and it gives you a really fascinating perspective on life. When you work in the medical system you don't realise how much it babies you (which is a good thing really). Everything until consultancy is so structured and you have this ease of being able to "turn up" and get paid a full salary which in hindsight was a tremendous luxury. There is also a huge social element but I think this pertains more to the hospital environment than to the outpatient setting and while I missed the daily interaction with colleagues I didn't want to rely on my job for my social life. Running the business was a nightmare at the beginning because I had to create my own modules and decide how I would progress it every single day and even though I could have had a lot more freetime I ended up working more over the last two years than I did in medicine. I also have no one supervising me and you start to realise that losing that structure medicine provided all your life can be a huge shock mentally and the stress and uneasiness is not minimal. Furthermore, I do think we as doctors take for granted the convenience of the pay we get. With my business the amount I make has no ceiling which is great but the actions I take can greatly impact my salary as opposed to with medicine where I basically need to just carry things out in a ethical and safe manner and my pay won't fluctuate in relation to that. With all that said I now spend my time working on something that I feel suits my way of thinking a lot more. While I care about money to an extent it was truly never about that, I am the type of person that doesn't mind working all day but because of that I needed a job where I truly wanted to continually progress. In medicine I was a mess because I never saw becoming a consultant as a goal I wanted to achieve in my life as the subject content and job in general never interested me at all and I felt lost everyday clinging onto the social aspect of medicine to cure my sadness. With all that said I have nothing against medicine it just was sadly not a good fit for me, I think it is such a good job from a practical standpoint though.

[@doctorkhalid]

@@addylemon6815 amazing story, thank you for sharing. I feel your notion of the constraints of structured careers in medicine, especially in hospital roles and the lack of autonomy. I think general practice gave me a bit more freedom to also pursue hobbies and interests like business and KZbin. I guess it’s all about working out what is the right fit for you. GP land is still hella stressful even in the 3-4 days of work (allbeit 10-11 hour shifts) but it does provide stability and a great salary. So balances out I feel.

[@cinzia9885]

Loved this video!!! Very insightful :) Thank youu

[@doctorkhalid]

Awesome! Glad to here it, will do a few more on GP life you guys like this kind of stuff :)

[@DrErwinKwun]

Thanks for sharing your day as a GP Khalid. Very good breakdown of what General Practice is really like and the challenges people may not fully understand.

[@doctorkhalid]

No worries 😁

[@kittybala7951]

Great video and interesing

[@doctorkhalid]

Glad you think so!

[@tomlawton5116]

Is it realistic to expect to be able to take months at a time out of practicing as a locum, and to be able to afford to work only 20-30 hour weeks? Do you know about what it's like to do the same in a hospital setting? Thanks for the videos.

[@nishantkanitkar6258]

Thanks for the vid doc. Can I choose to work 6 days a week but only the morning session ? Is that an option ? How will it affect my pay?

[@DoctorNura]

Hi could you give some idea post CcT which is the best route and what did you do personally thank you

[@noor472011]

During GP training or practice : Do your duties include inserting IV cannula or taking blood samples ??

[@chuwmumamark2848]

I drive 3 hours to work and back, a total of 6h. Just to earn up to 20ph If i become a gp, I'll happy happy doing it for a bigger ph wage. Currently a support worker.

[@mdmf117]

Hello thanks for your video. I recently finished GP training in Malta and considering relocating to the UK. I have no previous experience in the NHS or working in the UK. I know there is an International Induction Programme offered by the NHS for this purpose. Do you think it would be an overwhelming process, considering I would be alone? Do you think working Locum would be a better idea? Our training was based on UK guidelines and we used the same materials used for the MRCGP UK. Thank you 😊

[@doctorkhalid]

Most places have a general induction, not sure if you will have one as an IMG. Locum GP life is good and bad. The good is independence, freedom of choice, and dictating your own timetable. Th bad is it's like when you were 18 years old - you have to send your CV out and find jobs! You can join agencies and at the moment the demand is high, but there are times when it is very quiet. If you wanted to make yourself more familiar with our guidelines I've been working on an app called RCA buddy that covers most of the curriculum and patient scenarios. But one thing is for sure, GPs are much needed in the UK and if you find a nice practice and sort out a good contract it could be really good! :))

[@ribbot6666]

Very informative :) Im an expat doctor specializing in gastroenterology in spain, however i plan to move back to the uk when i finish. Im currently considering transferring to general practice. How is the work-life balance of a gp compared to a consultant in the nhs? How realistic is working a fulltime 4 day week as a GP? do GPs do on call in A/E? I understand no matter what you do in medicine it wont be “easy”, but i just want to do something that doesnt take over my whole life. Thanks :)

[@doctorkhalid]

Wonderful! The more of us the better. Tough one to summarise in a comment. I'll probs do a video on it as a lot of junior docs ask me about it. In short GP training is a tough slog - a lot in 3 years and lots of hoops. BUT there is sunshine at the end of the rainbow and locuming/salaried part time is really good as you can have autonomy over your timetable. I am doing 2-3 days per week and the rest on YT and education and its a great balance (more so when 2 days!)

[@lovessweet5003]

what would you say the hours for psychiatry are like for core and specialty training?

[@FulhamboyH]

Impossible to see mine , just hides behind the desk since COVID, your lucky if you get a telephone appointment

[@lauramargaritadominguez-pa1391]

I've heard there isn't a quota of patients assigned to each GP. Does it make hard for a long term follow-up?

[@doctorkhalid]

As a locum the biggest miss is having regular patients to follow up. As a regular this is one of the perks of the job.

[@reivaZ]

Doesn't a locum doc need to follow the working hour rules by the government . Or is it ok for them to work continuesly without a break and could earn more ... your video are really cool and simple . Keep it up 🔥

[@doctorkhalid]

Yeah so you can't work like 100 days in a row! but you have good flexibility to work your own shift patterns. There will be some gov rules about days in a row, but I've had friend work 10-14 days in a row in OOH without issue.

[@AliiiiH]

Hi Khalid I'm an SHO at the moment still deciding on a future career path. I've essentially narrowed it down to GP or radiology. If you could go back in time would you still choose GP and why?

[@doctorkhalid]

Deffo GP land, for me and it differs to others, it allows me as locum to structure my own timetable and do things like this YT channel, spend time with family, and basically things that would be tougher on a training program rota for any other specialty. 3 years of GP training then you have full autonomy. But also depends on what you are like as a person, if Rad is your thing then I would go for it. You'll spend the rest of your life doing it so go for something that engages you. For me GP land is good but I think I'm gonna either go down the GPwSi (GP with special interest) route or lifestyle medicine to add a bit more variety.

[@AliiiiH]

@@doctorkhalid thanks a lot for the insight, that helps!

[@drnadiagul9435]

@@doctorkhalid Hi Dr Khalid, I am a junior doctor thinking to consider GP training as a career, have also done Master's in tropical medicine & infectious diseases, thinking to be a GP with special interest like doing travel clinics, can you please elaborate about lifestyle medicine you have mentioned and also how it differs to be a GP with special interest.

[@cornwalldanielsen8889]

30 contacts and 1 visit is a very manageable day.

[@doctorkhalid]

yup, I feel its challenging enough if you have a tough case but not too busy that you are stressed completely. Good flow to the day.

[@anthonymathias4043]

Is it possible to do half days...I’m thinking about things like picking up the kids from school.

[@doctorkhalid]

Hey Anthony, yes as a locum if I have a morning I am busy then I just pick up PM shifts. Granted a little bit more difficult to find as most shifts are all day, but certainly able to pick some up if you are flexible.

[@corinachan8533]

They say a locum doctor earns more; how much more e.g. exactly the kind of work and hours you're currently doing compared to a full-time GP?

[@doctorkhalid]

3-4 days a week you would be looking at between 70k - 100k

[@yunus3435]

@@doctorkhalidwhat does locum actually mean, do u move between surgeries ?

[@RegisteredNurseL.A.]

What do you mean by surgery? In the states surgery means having an operation in the OR. Also, do you not have nurses that help with getting the labs and prescriptions out and done?

[@doctorkhalid]

So here we call a clinic “a surgery” too. We do and we have nurse Practioner a and physician assistants who also see patients, do blood filing and prescriptions 😀

[@zerozerobaz]

@@doctorkhalid * Physician Associate

[@crinemoa2388]

Hi there, is it possible to make around £170,000 a year from working 4 full locum days a week as a GP? Assuming a day of work is around 10 paid hours, along with any unpaid overtime.

[@doctorkhalid]

That would be tough - I think yes if your working full 5 days or doing some OOH on weekends.

[@iknowineedausername]

do you have to obtain a further degree to become a gp with a special interest? Is there a good resource to learn about this

[@doctorkhalid]

You have to do a diploma - usually 1-2 years of sitting in clinics/learning sessions part time

[@hari_.35]

What are all the degrees you have?? What is your pathway after your med school??

[@doctorkhalid]

I have MBBS, did F1 and F2 and took a year out to travel then went in to GP training for 3 years

[@christinebartmann7252]

that is so much work. You should not need to do paperwork You all need a personal assistant

[@easymed1015]

What surgeries do u do?

[@doctorkhalid]

exactly we call a clinic session a "surgery". Some GPs do some minor operations too.

[@mehran568]

How much on an average do you earn take home as LOCUM GP for 3 and half day work? Thanks

[@doctorkhalid]

At the average rate of lets say 500 per day, you're looking at around £7k per month. Around half goes to taxes/pension contribution. Some areas which have less GPs the rates are a little higher.

[@rishigembali6066]

What is a realistic income for a locus GP?

[@rishigembali6066]

Locum*

[@MrMiscphrm]

30 acute requests in 30 mins seems like a lot!

[@doctorkhalid]

Yup, it is a bit tbh

[@TheToowex]

Do you have to be a specialist to be a locum dr?

[@harismohammad2005]

No, but if you want to become a specialist you shouldn’t be doing purely locum shifts.

[@virtualunreality8326]

I'm not a doc, but I found what you said very interesting. You certainly work less hours than I do! I am persuading my children to go into medicine or dentistry.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Don't do that. Let them decide for themselves and live their own lives.

[@virtualunreality8326]

My daughter wants to be a vet... my son doesn't know at all.

[@sophiemartin5757]

Hello, please could I ask why your commute is so long?

[@doctorkhalid]

I worked at this practice when I trained so made good friends there and its a nice atmosphere to work in. Also the pay outside of london is better than inside - supply and demand kinda thing.

[@iknowineedausername]

is it possible to be a full time loccum GP? Nothing else seems financially worth it

[@doctorkhalid]

yeah thats pretty much what I do

[@iknowineedausername]

Have you ever had difficulties finding work and is it still lucrative ?

[@elliottm5662]

Hi, thanks for the video. How much do you earn and how much CAN you earn as a locum GP, Hourly and yearly if possible. Liked and sub'd!

[@doctorkhalid]

Good question, I wondered those things when I was a junior doc. Will deffo do a vid on that.

[@elliottm5662]

@@doctorkhalid no plans to do one of these yet then?

[@rmdchannel2605]

Day in the life of a DOCTOR

[@doctorkhalid]

👍🏼😁

[@zyadstorm]

Can i just choose to not do home visits at all?

[@doctorkhalid]

yes if you locum, you can set your own wishes

[@zyadstorm]

@@doctorkhalid tbh i'm lost between GP and anesethiology. I do love basic diseases and doing refferals besides the training duration is attractive only 3 years not 8 years like anesethiology but i also like anesthetics stuffs and its lifestyle which has almost zero interactions with patients which can prevent me from burning out cuz i'm kinda of an ambivert plus i'm the kind of person who wants to have full control of their time and life away from job and medicine not being the reason of my existance, what do you think is the best for me? Or any other suggestions?

[@katesmortimer]

I’ve never known a locum to do home visits, they’ve always refused!

[@doctorkhalid]

As locums often set their own contracts, some will reduce their rate and not do home visits. I dont mind a home visit a day, breaks up the day. 2 or 3 home visits between clinics is just unmanageable :)

[@akshatbothra2082]

Can you work as locum as a trainee?

[@doctorkhalid]

I hear you can do hospital shifts as an SHO, but not as a GP in a clinic

[@barrybarry1117]

is it annoying to keep cleaning after every person

[@doctorkhalid]

It does take a lot of time cleaning and deserialising equipment and seats, but the only way to keep things safe. At the moment we have reduced patients seen per session to give time for this 👍🏼😃

[@rishigembali6066]

Do most GP partners make over 100k?

[@user-cc4kq6hl4c]

Yes

[@ttoyee5985]

No

[@dr_mak]

no

[@rishigembali6066]

@@ttoyee5985 what percentage will make over 100K?

[@doctorkhalid]

Yes and no! some may do, but also there are lots of other costs - like running the pratice. The practice for example I was in had 3 boilers bust and need changing - came out of partnership money and they were down like 15K that year. So can be variable but the pay is good if you are in a well run practice

[@doctorkhalid]

What else would you guys like to know about general practice in the UK? I'll link RCA Buddy (incase anyone is interested) on App Store: apple.co/3h7Whzh Google Play: bit.ly/3huB8OA

[@elkammash]

Thanks Khalid for this video. Can you tell us about Salary for different GP roles with real figures?

[@laibashah1610]

Is it possible for a GP to work only for 2 3 days per week? So in rest of the days he could do teaching etc From Pakistan !

[@lauramargaritadominguez-pa1391]

Is it that isolating? What about teamwork with practice nurses and your other GP colleagues?

[@doctorkhalid]

@@elkammash Maybe i can make a vid about it, but generally you are looking at between 70k-100k. Locums and GP partners on higher end, salaried on sl lower end.

[@doctorkhalid]

@@laibashah1610 I work 3-4 days and spend rest of the time making KZbin videos and working on my website www.doctorkhalid.com - so sure you can!

[@amirsiddiqi6542]

Bo o WA AR

[@sandrafoxley735]

gone are the days of care, service, and family doctors who were actually interested.

[@cheeseymenolikey]

Why don't you go out there and show us all how it's done Sandra?

[@shreyaroseminz]

Sandra can you please be a gp and show us how it's done. We'll be really glad to have you as a gp

[@TheHattie10]

The real question is... are you single? haha.

[@joshuacorden4295]

Poops service from stay at home GPs

[@johnfox8912]

is it true that gp is not a proper doctor? and is it possible to have on paper that youre saying to a patient "go home and paracetamol"?

[@gagglesas]

Obviously you know GPs are proper doctors? the second part of your comment doesn't even make sense

[@kathleensmith644]

Please, please don’t call people GUYS.