Many UK doctors seeking locum work are still not aware of the full requirements for registration specified by the NHS PASA (Purchasing and Supply Agency) -  www.a24locums.co.uk was awarded a national framework agreement for the supply of medical locums to NHS healthcare providers within England, Scotland and Wales for three years, from 1 July 2008.

There is plenty of locum work available in hospitals and GP surgeries for doctors who register. There are three areas where doctors are required to prove compliance – in addition to providing evidence of professional qualifications and experience. These are in occupational health immunisation, life support and additional training. As an agency, we can advise doctors on the requirements and help them with the process – and then find work for them nationwide, once registration is completed.

All doctors applying to register for locum work with Ambition 24hours are required to complete an occupational health questionnaire and provide supporting evidence of UK immunisation test results in respect of the following diseases, in accordance with current Department of Health guidelines: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tuberculosis and Varicella.

In addition, locums who will carry out EPPs (Exposure Prone Procedures) must also have an EPP Occupational Health Certificate, for which they have to provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C and HIV. Compliance for EPP is specified by NHS healthcare providers for certain locum placements, such as for surgeons.

Doctors are also required to produce current training certificates in life support. Ambition 24hours offers courses in ‘Basic Life Support’ through its nationwide branch network in the UK. Certification is annually renewable and the half-day course costs £35. Alternatively, for some locum placements, the ‘Advanced Life Support’ qualification may be required, compliant with the Resuscitation Council UK, which is valid for four years.

Certificates are also required as evidence of the completion of other courses, detailed in a registration pack that can be downloaded at www.a24locums.co.uk. Ambition 24locums has an agreement with a training provider to offer these courses on-line at a single fee of £10.00. The courses, which are annually renewable include: Fire Safety, Lone Worker Training, Handling of Violence & Aggression, The Caldicott Protocols, Health & Safety (COSHH and RIDDOR), Infection Prevention & Control (including MRSA & Clostridium Difficile), and Complaints Handling.