Locums vs MURs

[offthewall]

Hi all, I am new to the forum . Want to start locuming. Wondered whether I could get everyones opinions on something i read.

Anyone here read the PJ?

One bit that I always read (as well as the jobs , silly) is the letters section. The topics are often banal but the last two weeks has been kinda interesting: locums vs MURs

One proprietor started the debate by suggesting that locums should be more pro-active in doing them and that this way they could be 'guaranteed' a return booking.

The next week came a number of responses from locums opposing this view and the general demands placed on locums to do 'additonal work' with often no extra payment to show for it.

Question(s): Who here routinely does MURs on their locum rounds? Does the proprietor pay you extra? How much do you charge/ negotiate? I have heard that most multiples dont pay for doing them, but (can) demand that you do two a day and threaten not to give you further bookings if you don't comply. Someone told me that BTC only want locums that are accredited. How does everyone approach this issue, and have you had any grief over it?

It would be interesting to get everyone's opinions...thanks

[johnep]

I am accredited and willing to do them, but somehow opportunity never seems to present itself.
johnep

[Chirpy]

Sainsbury's also are not supposed to book locums who are not accredited & the AM's have been known to phone around & make sure the locums know that they should do 2 a day.

As a locum you don't know the staff/trading patterns/systems/staff break times so MUR's can be difficult to fit in. It can help if the staff can identify patients for you, but of course they are also trying to assess you. On the other hand you don't have to worry about head office & PCT paperwork, or staff training so that should free up some time you could use for MUR's.

I think it is only possible in a regular locum slot with staff motivated to help you get them done. You can bet you wouldn't get a good feedback report leading to further bookings if you just went and locked yourself in the consulting room with a wad of MUR forms. However as a manager of a pharmacy I love it when a locum does MUR's and they are definitely top of my re-booking list!!!

[GAZ]

as a locum accredited to provide MUR's I will try and do them when I can & if the patient/punter/custard is willing to go in to the "little room" with me - I don't mind doing them and would probably go so far as to say I quite like the whole interaction! Do I charge extra? NO - i see it as a great PR exercise (if done well!!) for pharmacy & for me as a locum - the difficulty I have is knowing how the support staff deal with the whole process - they may have more pressing tasks eg pushing express repeat script recruitment etc -
the initial reports from the Wirral seem encouraging

[Fleegle]

as a locum accredited to provide MUR's I will try and do them when I can & if the patient/punter/custard is willing to go in to the "little room" with me - I don't mind doing them and would probably go so far as to say I quite like the whole interaction! Do I charge extra? NO - i see it as a great PR exercise (if done well!!) for pharmacy & for me as a locum - the difficulty I have is knowing how the support staff deal with the whole process - they may have more pressing tasks eg pushing express repeat script recruitment etc -
the initial reports from the Wirral seem encouraging

Hear Hear! Thoroughly agree. Provide the service, and you get the bookings. Mobile phone-using, and newspaper-reading locums take particular note...you are of no more use to anyone.....get out of my office!!

[admin]

I have had a locum company offer me £25 per hour normal rate, £27 per hour if I do two MUR's and £30 if I can do over three in a day!

Anyone else got a deal like this?

[Sir_Dispensalot]

i'd want an offer like that in writing! That's amazing!

(they dont offer this in W yorks / E lancs, Greater manchester, do they? )

[admin]

i'd want an offer like that in writing! That's amazing!

(they dont offer this in W yorks / E lancs, Greater manchester, do they? )

I can PM you their name and contact details if you want????

They do all over so I think you'll be in the catchment area.

[Jeff]

i'd want an offer like that in writing! That's amazing!

(they dont offer this in W yorks / E lancs, Greater manchester, do they? )

I've had offers of money for MUR's - don't like the offer - it's just a part of the job.

It's proving surprisingly difficult to get back into the mindset though. I've spent a couple of years without a consulting room.

Jeff

[ap1]

As a contractor - I see the argument of locums wanting to ask for extra for doing MUR's, however they have to be aware that MUR's are paid using money taken away from dispensing profit so I believe it is unfair to expect contractors to pay extra - the locum rate did not reduce during CAT M fiasco did it?

To me it is a case of moving with the times and adapting to the changes and opportunities facing the profession.