Locum Work - Where to go?

[Pharmer Brown]

Are there any parts of britain where locum work is still plentiful?? what are the current rates and how many days a week on average are you likely to get?? Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated!!

[johnep]

East Anglia, South West.
johnep

[the old merlin]

East Anglia, South West.
johnep

I know an East Anglian pharmacist who is currently saying that he's never had less work.

Comments and advice (it's not me, I assure everyone) welcome, and I'll pass them on.

[Rafael]

They are taking over everything, not only the good or bad posts. who are 'They'? hmmmmm this statement can't be xenophobic! it is common sense for UK uni graduates to expect to find a job post-registration. An open borders for ALL is not a good strategy especially when the net movement is influx to the country. Sadly the gov is trying to stop this influx by making it harder for international students or foreign pharmacists (Visa problems and restrictions). They do not understand that tightening the rules for 200 000 work permit holders is not the answer for immigration, when the borders are open to 200-300M EU citizens to come and work (or claim benefits). In a couple of years, when almost every sector in the economy saturates, the gov will wake up and consider their stand re EU. Until then, the locals will go mental, especially the ones getting sacked during this recession, while cheaper labour are imported from Europe (Remember the demonstrations in lincolnshire the last month and the whole ' British jobs for British workers').

whoever believe that there is still a shortage of pharmacists is kidding himself! all the advertised positions are run by locums, meaning the pharmacies ARE NOT CLOSED, and still operating. There are ppl doing the job, but the companies want to employ a permanent pharmacist to reduce the costs. locums are the 1st to feel the increase in supply of pharmacists, as it will get harder for them to locum, while employee pharmacist will not be initially affected (they will be later on, when multiples reduce their packages).

Raoul xx

[johnep]

Like Merlin, I will have the luxury of being an observer of future pharmacy problems. Today, I worked locally and was surprised at the number of scripts for E European names. Many were for mothers and babies.

Essex is relatively accessible from London, I consider E Anglia to be mainly above the river at Maldon. At the moment I could work every day if I wished-- Summer holidays etc. Come the Autumn and the second crop of graduates from Norwich, things could be very different.

johnep

[Prospective Student]

Sounds like Pharmacy is getting saturated?

Is it worth starting a 4 year course at the age of 26 ???
I was looking forward to part contract, and part locuming?

Also I prefer London, Kent and Essex - Is that near enough to saturation point???

[Rafael]

Hey Pro student, please do not let my post put you down, it is just my opinion! some argued before, and will argue again, that pharmacy was and will always be in shortage. i believe it is crap, but that's just me.
five years is a long period of time, and it will be hard for anyone to speculate the pharmacist market in the future. a simple political change can result in huge a impact on the market.
Good luck, consider the Fleeg/John/David/TS...etc opinions, not mine, as they are the experinced ones and can talk about history. i personally don't buy their stories re shortage, but anyway that's just me.

Raoul xx

[johnep]

I suppose all my working life, pharmacists have been in short supply. Evidence the number of adverts for hospital jobs.
johnep

[Prospective Student]

is that because no-one really wants to be a hospital pharmacist?

Its pretty crap working in a Hospital based on the beurocracy and arrogant medics/surgeons i.e. (you bl*** pharmacist - what do you know about
drug interactions!!!)

I haven't started the course yet, but I dont want to go anywhere near
hospital pharmacy..... community appeals to me,
and i'll see what industry is all about

[johnep]

Hospital work is more akin to what pharmacy work should be, but, starting salaries are low. As you progress up the career ladder, then salaries can be double community.

I started in community as best paid and I wanted to buy a bungalow. After a year I got into industry and immediately took 30% pay cut. However, as I was in sales, then had a car and expense account (not like an MP's).

Later as I became a Marketing, then Export Manager, I was earning 30% above community. The basic problem with community is no real progression as in hospital, industry and academia.

Law of supply and demand prevails. Maybe next year community salaries will drop to those in academia and industry.

johnep