GP locum usage increased by 19.6% from 2014 to 2015, according to data from booking site RLocums.
In terms of pay, average GP locum rates across the UK has remained broadly the same at £83.69/hr, reflecting a minor increase of 1.6% compared to 2014 figures.
Moreover, more GPs are choosing to supplement their salaried/partnership income with locum work, and out of the number doctors on the site, they earn an average of £7,600 per year doing additional locum work. This is up £1,900 (33%) compared to last year.
While demand for GP locum has increased, supply of GP locum workforce has also increased. Surgeries across the UK now use an average of 110 hrs of GP locums per year on RLocums. This reflects a 19.6% increase compared to the previous period.
Last month, the Care Quality Commission revealed they put Princes Park Health Centre in Liverpool in special measures, partly as the high usage of locum and agency GPs led to a lack of continuity of care, and increased the risk of patient incidents and complaints occurring, they said.
