23/04/2026
What optometry practices actually need from a locum and how to make sure you deliver it 👇
The locums with a reliable, recurring diary are thinking about what makes a practice want to call them back, long before the next booking comes up.
It's worth understanding what that actually looks like from the practice side.
âś” GOC registration that's current and easy to verify.
This sounds obvious but practices that book locums regularly will check.
Having your registration number accessible and your revalidation up to date removes a friction point before the conversation even starts.
âś” Reliability above everything else.
A locum who confirms, shows up, and is ready to start on time is rarer than it should be.
Practices that have been let down at short notice tend to build a shortlist of two or three people they trust and call them first every time.
Getting onto that shortlist is about consistency more than anything else.
âś” Flexibility across different clinical management systems.
Most independent and group practices will use either Medisoft, Optisoft, or a practice-specific system.
Being comfortable navigating an unfamiliar system without needing significant support on the day is something practices notice.
It affects how the day runs and how much pressure falls on the existing team.
âś” Willingness to cover both NHS and private appointments.
Practices that offer both need a locum who can work across both without hesitation.
A locum who only wants private work, or who's visibly less engaged with NHS appointments, creates an imbalance that affects patient flow and the team around them.
âś” Communication before and after the shift.
Letting a practice know in advance if anything came up during the day, a referral made, a patient flagged, a prescription query left open, is the kind of professional habit that gets noticed.
It makes the handover cleaner and reduces the chance of anything falling through the gap between your shift and the next one.
The practices that rebook the same locums consistently are not always offering the highest rate.
They're offering a working environment where the locum fits in without friction and delivers what the day needs. Building that reputation takes time but it starts with the first shift.
