A Pharmacy Owner’s Guide to Hiring Locum Pharmacists in the UK
Running a community pharmacy in the UK means balancing patient care, regulatory compliance and operational pressure every day. When annual leave, sickness or recruitment gaps arise, hiring a locum pharmacist is often essential to keep your pharmacy open and compliant.
However, booking a locum is not simply about filling a shift. It involves regulatory checks, clear agreements and forward planning to protect both your patients and your business.
This guide explains what UK pharmacy contractors need to consider when hiring locum pharmacists.
Why Locum Pharmacists Matter
Under NHS Terms of Service, pharmacy contractors must ensure pharmaceutical services are provided during agreed opening hours. A pharmacy cannot lawfully provide the full range of services without a responsible pharmacist present.
If cover is not secured, you may face:
• Temporary closure
• Reduced service provision
• Financial impact
• Damage to patient trust
Locum pharmacists allow pharmacies to maintain continuity during periods such as annual leave, sickness, maternity leave or increased seasonal demand. For many contractors, locums are not a luxury but an operational necessity.
Your Regulatory Responsibilities as a Contractor
As the pharmacy owner or superintendent, you are responsible for ensuring that any pharmacist working in your business is appropriately qualified and compliant.
Before confirming a booking, you should verify:
• Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Appropriate professional indemnity cover
• Right to work in the United Kingdom
• Relevant service accreditation where required
If the locum will be delivering services such as flu vaccinations or travel clinics, you must be satisfied that they are trained and competent to do so.
Failure to carry out these checks may expose your pharmacy to regulatory risk.
Indemnity, Governance and Safe Systems of Work
Although locum pharmacists are required to hold their own indemnity arrangements, responsibility for governance remains with the contractor.
This includes maintaining:
• Clear standard operating procedures
• Safe staffing levels
• Secure access to NHS systems
• Clear escalation pathways
Providing structured information before the shift begins helps reduce clinical and operational risk.
Agreeing Rates and Shift Terms
Locum rates vary depending on region, demand and urgency. While there is no statutory requirement to pay mileage or provide paid breaks, terms should always be agreed clearly before the shift.
At a minimum, you should confirm:
• The hourly rate
• Start and finish times
• Length of any unpaid break
• Total paid hours
Clear written confirmation prevents disputes and supports professional working relationships.
The Risk of Reactive Staffing
Leaving staffing to the last minute can increase costs and stress. If you cannot secure a responsible pharmacist, you may need to reduce services or close temporarily, which can result in lost income and commissioner scrutiny.
A proactive approach is far more effective. Forecasting annual leave early and planning around predictable busy periods such as winter vaccination season can significantly reduce disruption.
Direct Booking Versus Using an Agency
Some pharmacies book locums directly through local networks. While this can work, it also places the administrative burden on your team.
Working with a structured agency such as Pharm-Assist can support by:
• Verifying registration and documentation
• Assisting with urgent bookings
• Confirming agreed rates and paid hours
• Acting as a single point of contact
This reduces time spent sourcing cover and allows your team to focus on service delivery and patient care.
Building a Stable Staffing Strategy
Rather than viewing locums as emergency cover, many successful pharmacies integrate them into their long term staffing strategy.
This may include:
• Booking leave cover in advance
• Developing relationships with reliable locums
• Planning for seasonal service peaks
• Reviewing staffing patterns regularly
A structured approach improves continuity of care and reduces operational risk.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a locum pharmacist is about more than filling a rota gap. It is about protecting patient safety, maintaining NHS contractual compliance and safeguarding the stability of your business.
By verifying documentation, agreeing terms clearly and planning ahead, pharmacies can use locums confidently and professionally.
If you require reliable and compliant locum cover, Pharm-Assist supports pharmacies across the UK with structured communication and transparent staffing support.