Not all locum insurers offer so much

Employing a locum could seriously hit the pockets of the partners - especially long term. Cheap locum insurance may look attractive, but can be a false economy. Choose a plan that offers real value with a wide range of important benefits:

• Long term permanent cover
• Up to £4,000 per week for locum or role replacement cover, Eligible roles include GPs, practice managers, pharmacists and specialist nurses
• Up to £2,000 per week sick pay insurance for other key employed staff
• Flexibility of different deferred and payment periods

Wesleyan adds many extra benefits

You can't plan for every eventuality and, with daily costs of GP locums now up to £1,000* in some areas, our locum insurance can make an important difference:

• Cover for psychiatric conditions
• Dangerous sports covered, on an amateur basis
• HIV and needlestick cover
• Options for rehabilitation cover and career breaks
• Maternity cover for illness or injuries not arising from normal pregnancy
• Payments can be made to GPs covering extra shifts

Choosing our cover can make a real difference.

Cover for jury duty, family emergencies and paternity… at no extra cost

When you choose locum insurance through Practice Protector Plus, you'll also get the Practice Locum Cover Plan - without additional charge - provided through a third party.

This covers jury service and suspension from work, family emergencies, bereavement, plus paternity or adoption leave.

Call 0800 294 9173 to speak to a locum insurance expert today

Your local Financial Consultant can assess the individual requirements of your practice and recommend a locum insurance plan that is tailored to meet them. All financial advice given is on a complete no-obligation basis.

Simply complete this form, email practicereview@wesleyan.co.uk or call 0800 294 9173. Please quote reference 45297 when contacting us.

*Medeconomics Survey of GP locum earnings UK, July 2018.

NHS improvements to GP contracts don't fully address the cost of locum cover

In 2017, NHS England announced a number of changes to GP contracts, one of which is to guarantee that they will reimburse the cost of hiring a locum to cover a GP's sickness absence.

Since then, the NHS in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have agreed similar agreements. 
 
England: From 1 April, 2018, they will reimburse locum costs up to £1,751.52 per week ( after the first two weeks of sickness absence), reducing after 26 weeks to 50% of whatever payment was agreed for the first 26 weeks, capped at £875.76.

Scotland and Wales: From 1 April, 2018, the corresponding figures are £1,734.18 per week and £867.09.
 
Northern Ireland:  From 1 March 2018, they will reimburse up to £1,734.18 per week (after the first four weeks of sickness absence), reducing after 26 weeks by 50%, capped at £867.09.

The good news is that at least part of the cost of hiring a locum will now be met by the NHS - but only part of it.

Going forward, you may not require as much cover under your Locum Insurance policy to meet your liability to provide a locum in respect of a GP's absence.


Who covers the shortfall?

GPs will still usually be responsible for covering the shortfall. Depending on the resources available among colleagues to help fill the gap, and taking into account local rates for hiring a locum, there is likely to be a significant financial liability that still needs to be met.

Typically, the cost of covering eight sessions per week is around £4,000*, but, with regional variations, can be as much as £4,000. Sometimes even more.

However, it does not change the potential need to cover salaried GPs and other practice staff for sick pay and for other associated costs involved in paying for replacement staff, or extra hours worked by colleagues, in the event of their sickness absence.

The reduction in locum insurance costs may in fact enable you to broaden the cover you are able to provide for the practice, without increasing your premium. 

If you are considering amending or cancelling an existing policy with us in light of these changes, we recommend that you take advice before doing so.

Please contact your Wesleyan Financial Consultant or contact us direct by using one of the methods above.

*Medeconomics Survey of GP Locum earnings UK, July 2018

Call an expert in GP locum insurance

Find out how we can tailor your plan to fit your practice and your budget:

• Long term permanent cover
• Up to £4,000 per week for locum cover
• Up to £2,000 sick pay insurance per week

Need a locum insurance quote? Then arrange an appointment today.