Some pharmacy locum agencies have a really bad name. Locums don’t turn up, are double booked or think themselves above performing the day to day tasks required to make a community pharmacy run smoothly.
PL-UK is different. I set up the company in 2003 because I had dealt with these “Mickey Mouse” agencies for a number of years during my time with Boots. I knew that there was an opportunity to provide a professional, reliable pharmacy locum agency service to contractors and I guess, we haven’t done too bad up till know.
It wasn’t until I talked to a pharmacist during one of my regular days at HMP Durham and she said that we have grown really quicky in only six years that I began to think about it. We have done well, especially at a time when it’s a more difficult trading environment. Let’s face it, any muppett could have set up an pharmacy locum agency during the fallow year on 2000 and done OK. Trading at a time when all community pharmacies are looking to reduce costs is more challenging but at the same time, more rewarding.
We build up relationships with our client pharmacies and they know that the locum pharmacists (and locum pharmacy technicians) will do good job when they arrive. The pharmacies and locums know that all bookings will be confirmed in writing and that we won’t mess them around.
I think we made a friend for life during the recent ash cloud debacle – one of our client pharmacists was stuck in the Carribean (yes, we had limited sympathy too!) but was supposed to be back in their pharmacy on the Monday. In the end, they were over a week late, but PL-UK covereed their pharmacy to keep them trading – Q the Superman theme tune!!!
On a more serious note, PL-UK are proud to provide a pharmacy locum agency service alongside our permanent recruitment service and proud to serve community pharmacies throughout the UK
I was shopping in my local Morrison’s supermarket at the weekend and who should I bump into BUT Ken Morrison himself. Was he flashily dressed or ordering staff about? Far from it. He was pulling stock forward, tidying up the bread display and generally making sure his store looked it’s best. The guy must be worth £100 million plus but you could tell at heart that he’s still just a retailer at heart. Good for him.
I received my weekly email from PJ online tonight and had to re-pring the idea below from Michael Thompson- editor of PJ Online
At about the same time as being allowed to sell tamsulosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia pharmacists will have been disappointed by the withdrawal of applications to make nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim pharmacy medicines to treat cystitis.
True, this is a setback for pharmacists’ ambitions to be able to help their customers and patients treat relatively minor conditions without the hassle of getting to see a GP or finding a new-fangled NHS walk-in centre. But there is a simple solution to the problem it poses.
With pharmacists now able to train as independent prescribers after qualifying, the sensible step is to bring prescribing training into the MPharm so that pharmacists are qualified to prescribe from the outset. Then the profession will truly have achieved its ambition to help people treat themselves for conditions that don’t require advanced diagnostic skills or high tech tests.
Michael Thompson
Editor – PJ Online
The PJ has been full of letters over the last few weeks about the pressure being put on employee pharmacists in terms of staffing levels and pressure to perform MUR’s and both of these at a time when script numbers are increasing al the time.
What can you do? One option is to stand on your own two feet and locum. I like to think of our locum pharmacists as Independent Pharmacist Practitioners – they stand and fall on the service they provide and are free to work for who they like, when they like.
Past post about the subject
http://www.pluk.co.uk/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=51
At PL-UK we respect our locums right to choose when and where they work and we will try to fill their diaries with bookings they will find both professionally and financially rewarding.
So give Linda or Lynne a ring on 0333 123 3344 to see how we can help you.
We were approached my one of the massive supermarket chains last week about potentially becoming their sole head-hunter to fill hard to fill vacancies. My first instinct was to say “Yes, we can do it” but over the bank holiday weekend I had second thoughts.
I set up PL-UK in 2003 because I had worked with loads of so called agencies who promised the earth , bur rarely delivered. I promised that PL-UK would be different, and the subsequent feedback is that we are different.
My bank manager might be puzzled by the decision and I must admit the £££££ are tempting but I’d rather that PL-UK Over delivered rather than over promised.
Shaun Hockey – PL-UK Managing Director
Agency Workers Regulations – how does it effect me?
The simple answer is it doesn’t. …. in most cases. For more expert guidance than I can supply as a pharmacist rather than a legal bod please click on the link below. http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/documents/01109%20PCG%20A4%2020PP%20BROCHURE%20SINGLE%20PAGES.pdf
One in a lifetime opportunity – pharmacist required in Tonga
We have been approached by a not for profit pharmacy in the Kingdom of Tonga asking us to recruit a pharmacist to work at one of the health centres in the Kingdom. This opportunity will definately not come up again for if you fancy a complete change of scene and an opportunity to live on [...]
Just a quick post to remind all pharmacist that they need to renew their GPhC registration by the 31st October. So you still have a month to pay but if you are anything like me, if you don’t do it now, there’s a chance you’ll forget!
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